Sanju Samson and Mukesh Kumar lead India to a series-clinching victory against Zimbabwe in the 5th T20I.

India versus Zimbabwe T20I Series, 2024

5th T20I

Sanju Samson and Mukesh Kumar has helped India to clinch the series with 4-1

Indian players pose with the winner’s cheque after their series win.

 India scored 167/6 in 20 overs, where as Zimbabwe scored 125 in 18.3 overs.

So, finally India beat Zimbabwe by 42 runs.

Led by Sanju Samson’s second T20I half-century and Mukesh Kumar’s career-best efforts, India registered a comfortable 42-run win over Zimbabwe on Sunday at the Harare Sports Club, completing a 4-1 victory in the five-match series.

After posting 167 for 6, India bowled out Zimbabwe for 125.

The difference: The middle overs

After making an aggressive start in the run chase, Zimbabwe’s momentum was squeezed out in the middle overs through regular strikes.

The hosts lost four wickets and failed to score at even a run-a-ball during this period, while India found a steady 65-run partnership to lay the foundation for a late attack.

Powerplay: India lose top three

IND: 44/3 (RR: 8.67; 3x4s, 3x6s)

Yashasvi Jaiswal got the Indian innings going with two sixes off the first two balls, one of which was off a no-ball.

Nonetheless, Zimbabwe struck back quickly.

Jaiswal was cleaned up by Sikandar Raza in the opening over, and Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma joined him back in the dugout in the powerplay itself after steady starts.

Middle overs: Samson, Parag steady Indian innings

IND: 69/1 (RR: 7.67; 0x4s, 5x6s)

With the top three blown away quickly, Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag steadied the Indian innings with a fairly conservative approach.

The ball did nip around a bit as the Indian batters controlled their aggression.

They didn’t manage to find a four through the middle period but did clear the boundary occasionally.

Brandon Mavuta faced the brunt of this attack as he was carted for four sixes, including twice off successive deliveries by Sanju Samson in the 12th over.

Death overs: Dube provides late flourish

IND: 54/2 (RR: 10.80; 2x4s, 3x6s)

Even as Sanju Samson was dismissed soon after scoring his half-century, Dube took over the mantle of the attack with death-over specialist Rinku Singh.

Dube deposited a low full toss by Ngarava over long-on, and Rinku deposited Faraz Akram straight down the ground for a six.

Zimbabwe

Powerplay: Zimbabwe make a quick start

ZIM: 47/2 (RR: 7.83; 9x4s, 0x6s)

Despite losing opener Wessley Madhevere for a duck in the opening over, Zimbabwe kept a positive approach in the chase.

Brian Bennett hit a couple of crisp boundaries off Tushar Deshpande before becoming Mukesh Kumar’s second victim in the powerplay.

Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers took the attack to Ravi Bishnoi and picked up 16 runs in the last over of the powerplay.

Middle overs: India strike back with quick wickets

ZIM: 47/4 (RR: 5.22; 3x4s, 0x6s)

India pulled the momentum back in the middle period with regular strikes.

The spin trio of Bishnoi, Abhishek, and Washington Sundar, along with Dube’s medium pace, proved too difficult for the Zimbabwe batters to handle.

After the set batters, Marumani and Myers, departed, Raza was sent back courtesy of a direct hit by Dube from short fine leg.

To complicate the chase further, Jonathan Campbell pulled Dube straight to the deep square leg fielder in the next over, making it three wickets in as many overs, which derailed the chase.

Death overs: Faraz counterattacks but Zimbabwe falls short

ZIM: 31/4 in 3.3 overs (RR: 8.86; 1x4s, 2x6s)

Faraz Akram went on the offensive against the Indian bowlers, but by then the required run rate had pushed the target far beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.

Moreover, Mukesh Kumar returned to snap two more wickets in the death overs, ensuring that Zimbabwe was bundled out with nine balls to spare.

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