 "Team India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe with a 23-run win in Harare on Wednesday. Image: X / @BCCI")
India captain Shubman Gill was pleased with his team’s collective effort in their 23-run win over Zimbabwe in the third T20 at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. The Men in Blue had begun the series with a shock 13-run loss in the first T20 on 6 July, before Abhishek Sharma’s 46-ball century propelled the Men in Blue to a 100-run win in the second match a day later.
On Wednesday, Gill led from the front with a 49-ball knock of 66 to take India to 182/4 after opting to bat, but it was a clinical effort from the bowlers that eventually stood out for the visitors. Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (49) also made crucial contributions with the bat.
Washington Sundar (3/15) was the pick of the bowlers whereas Khaleel Ahmed (1/15) was also impressive. Avesh Khan, however, went for 18 runs in the final over but still ended with figures of 2/39. The win on Wednesday meant that India took a 2-1 series lead.
Watch | Ravi Bishnoi takes blinder to dismiss Brian Bennett in India vs Zimbabwe T20I
“Definitely it feels very good, it was a crucial game for us, the way we started with the bat and ball was good. The wicket was a bit double-paced, the odd ball was gripping and it was not easy to hit the length balls, that’s what we discussed with our bowlers,” Gill said at the post-match presentation ceremony on Wednesday.
“We know that if there is something in the wicket, it will be more with the new ball, and as the ball gets old it’s a bit easier to score. Everyone is contributing and that’s a good sign,” added the 24 year-old.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsZimbabwe’s fielders were sloppy on the field as they ended up dropping a few crucial catches. Tadiwanashe Marumani, fielding at sweeper cover, dropped a chance to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal in the eighth over, and towards the end of the Indian innings, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was in his 40s, was dropped by Marumani at deep midwicket off Blessing Muzarabani’s ball in the final over.
And in terms of batting, the Zimbabwean top-order collapsed with Madhevere, Marumani and Brian Bennett being dismissed in the powerplay as they were reduced to 37/3.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza felt that his team gave away “20 extra runs” and that his fielders could have done better. “I think it’s the fielding again, we are proud of our fielding but the wheels came off today, we gave away 20 extra runs and we lost by 23 runs. We still have problems at the top but I have utmost faith in them that they will come good some time. We have tried 15 different partners (openers) in the last year and a half or so,” said Raza.
Raza stressed upon the fact that the senior players in the side have no option but to step up. Sikandar Raza was impressive with figures of 2/24 but Richard Ngarava (0/39) and Tendai Chatara (0/30) produced below-par performances. “It’s time that our players including myself take up the responsibility. The youngsters making mistakes is acceptable but the senior players need to step up,” added the 38 year-old.
Washington Sundar was adjudged the Player of the Match for his heroics with the ball and the spinner said that it was a better wicket to bowl on although there was more on offer for the bowlers in the first two matches. “Feels amazing and every time I play for the country, it feels amazing. It was definitely a better wicket, in the first two games there was more for the bowlers compared to this game. Our batters batted well,” he said.
The hosts did script a fightback of sorts with Clive Madande and Don Myers forging 77 runs for the sixth wicket, and Washington admitted that the visitors felt the pressure at the time.
“It did put a lot of pressure on us and we wanted to execute our plans the best we can to restrict them. Hopefully, we get to see a lot of places in Zimbabwe and explore more, hopefully we can seal the series on Saturday,” added the 24 year-old.