4th T20I
Indian openers have dominated Zimbabwe to clinch the series victory
Zimbabwe scored 152/7 in 20 overs, where as India scored 156/0 in 15.2 overs.
So, finally India beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets.
India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill secured an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I, sealing the series 3-1.
Chasing a modest target of 153, India remained in total control as Jaiswal hammered an unbeaten 93, while Gill finished not out on 58.
The difference between the two sides?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single phase of play that made the difference given how ruthless India were in the run chase.
However, Zimbabwe might regret their middle-over batting collapse after a solid start, whereas India maintained their dominance throughout, even after the powerplay.
Zimbabwe
Powerplay – A Solid Start
Phase score – 44/0 [RR: 7.33, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Wessly Madhevere gave Zimbabwe an ideal start, finding the boundary thrice in the first two overs, including a couple off debutant Tushar Deshpande.
Zimbabwe raced to 39 in the first five overs before Washington Sundar tightened things up to finish the powerplay.
Middle Overs – Zimbabwe Lose Their Way
Phase score – 54/4 [RR: 6.00, 4s/6s: 2/1]
Despite a half-century partnership from the openers, Zimbabwe squandered their good start as India fought back with wickets.
Tadiwanashe Marumani was caught trying to break free, and Shivam Dube struck in his first over to remove the other opener.
Sikandar Raza attempted to accelerate with a boundary and a six, but Washington ended Brian Bennett’s innings, and a run out in the following over left Raza with much to do.
Death Overs – Raza Sizzles
Phase score – 54/3 [RR: 10.8, 4s/6s: 2/2]
Zimbabwe’s captain, Raza, stepped up as he has done many times before.
He smashed Washington for a six and hit Khaleel for a four and a six, racing to 40 off just 20 balls at one point.
However, Deshpande dismissed him in the penultimate over, preventing Zimbabwe from crossing 160.
Khaleel’s excellent final over left Zimbabwe with a modest total of 152.
India
Powerplay – Jaiswal Breaks Free
Phase score – 61/0 [RR – 10.16, 4s/6s – 10/0]
As expected, Jaiswal adopted an aggressive approach from the start, finding the boundary thrice in the first over of the chase.
Shubman Gill then hit a couple of fours in the second over off Blessing Muzarabani.
Jaiswal tore into Tendai Chatara, smashing four boundaries as India raced to 43 in just three overs, setting the tone for the rest of the chase.
Although the last two overs of the powerplay were quieter, India still finished with 61.
Middle Overs – Ruthless Openers Get the Job Done
Phase score – 90/0 [RR – 10, 4s/6s – 8/4]
Even the reliable Raza couldn’t stop the onslaught, as Jaiswal greeted him with a couple of boundaries on his way to a half-century.
Raza had to take himself out of the attack after conceding 24 runs in his first two overs, but the bowling changes made little impact.
The entire attack was sent on a leather hunt throughout the chase.
Gill played a supporting role to Jaiswal, who seemed poised for a spectacular century at one point before Gill contributed with a few runs to raise his half-century.
India scored 90 runs in the middle overs and needed just two deliveries in the 16th over to secure the win.
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