cricket news Zimbabwe vs India 2nd T20I India won by 100 runs
The young Indian team showed what they are capable of today. They couldn't handle the pressure in the last game but today they fired on all cylinders.
cricket news Zimbabwe vs India 2nd T20I India won by 100 runs
The young Indian team showed what they are capable of today. They couldn't handle the pressure in the last game but today they fired on all cylinders. A memorable day especially for Abhishek Sharma as he was at his devastating best. The T20 World Champions certainly have a strong bench strength and it bodes well for them that more of their players are getting exposure to international cricket. It was a bad day at the office for Zimbabweans. The series is tied 1-1 and there is a lot to play for. We can expect a tough fight from the hosts as they are a resilient team. Join us for the third T20 from the same venue on Wednesday. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!
Shubman Gill India captain: Very happy, great to be back on a winning note again. It was not easy with the way Abhishek and Rutu batted, especially in the powerplay, with the ball moving around but Abhishek and Rutu built up the innings brilliantly. Yesterday, it was more about not being able to handle the pressure, it's a young team and many of them are new to international exposure. It was actually good to have pressure in the first game and we knew what to expect in this game. We have three matches left and we are looking forward to them. More options are always better than no options.
Abhishek Sharma Player of the match: I think it was a good performance by me, the defeat we had yesterday, it was not easy for us. I felt today was my day and I made it count. I think T20 is momentum and I took it to the end. Special mention to coach, captain and team management. I always feel that as a young person you have to express yourself if it's your day. We were talking after every over and he (Ruturaj) told me you take it. I always believe in my ability, if it is in my arc and even if it is the first ball I will go after it.
King of Sikandar Zimbabwe captain: World champions will finally play like world champions. Today dropping catch definitely hurt us today. I expected 200 on this wicket today but they got 30 more. Coming to the chase, I thought it would be a close game but it was not to be, the top order did not fire. Blessing has grown by leaps and bounds, she is very hungry and her graph will continue to grow as long as she stays fit. It is a task that we have been talking about for a long time, today we were positive and played our shots, many problems were due to inexperience.
Ravi Bishnoi: Yesterday was a disappointing performance. Glad we played well today, this is the kind of cricket we usually play. I am satisfied with the win. It wasn't much of a turn, but the ball was skidding along the deck. That (T20 World Cup win) celebration will go on for a long time, it was a special win for us. That will not stop.
India bounced back from a deficit in the opening game with a resounding 100-run win over hosts Zimbabwe in the second T20I in Harare. Abhishek Sharma's 46-ball century, the joint third-fastest by an Indian in T20Is, helped Shubman Gill post 234/2, the highest score against Zimbabwe which Ruturaj Gaikwad deemed "difficult" and "two". dynamic" surface. It certainly played out in the second innings, when India's pacers and spinners bowled a combined power to bowl out Sikandar Raja's side for just 134 and inflict their joint-heaviest defeat by runs in the format.
What was the difference?
Abhishek Sharma's innings. The whirlwind knock, which contained 7 fours and 8 sixes, belied the nature of the pitch used by the teams on which they operated and helped India overcome a mediocre powerplay and set the stage for the likes of Rinku Singh to do so well. 160 runs were scored in the last 10 overs, the most by a full member team in T20Is.
India
Powerplay: Gil falls early
Phase Score: 36/1 (3x4s, 1x6)
Abhishek Sharma opening his account with a six was a sign of things to come but the first wicket of Shubman Gill probably had to wait for the fireworks. Blessing Mujharabi's wicket-maiden, which saw Gill run out and Rituraj Gaikwad's return missed, was the highlight of the first six overs as India gradually recovered from the loss of their captain.
Middle over: Rituraj, debuts with fireworks
Phase Score: 116/1 (9x4s, 7x6s)
The pair managed to put on a stand of 137 runs, India's highest stand against Zimbabwe, with plenty of skill and power-hitting of course but with some luck. Abhishek Wellington dismissed Masakadza at long off for 28* off 24 balls but the opening batsman never looked back. He put Sikandar Raja and Dion Meyers to bed, then conceded 28 runs in an over. Abhishek needed 13 more balls to reach his maiden T20 century after hitting the landmark hat-trick of sixes against Masakadja. On the next ball, caught at backward point, the damage is done. 7 sixes by Abhishek in this episode, Rituraj proved to be the ideal steady foil at the other end.
Death over: Rinku, Gaikwad finishes well
Phase Score: 82/0 (7x4s, 6x6s)
This was the phase of the game where India were way ahead of Zimbabwe. Their designated finisher Rinku Singh (48* from 22 balls) joined the unbeaten Ruturaj Gaikwad and rained runs in the last five overs of the innings. Gaikwad got his fifty off 38 balls but his next 25 runs came off just 9 balls, most of which came in Tendai Chatara's last over. Rinku managed to hit 3 sixes against Zimbabwe's best bowler Mujarabani and wrapped up the innings with back-to-back sixes against Luke Jongwe, who bowled 53 runs in his four overs.
Zimbabwe
Powerplay: Pacers between the wickets
Phase Score: 58/4 (4x4s, 3x6s)
Zimbabwe worked hard in the powerplay and beat India but it was risky and translated into four wickets. Innocent Kaia again fell to an incoming delivery from Mukesh Kumar but the Test with the new ball in Abhishek's hands did not go as planned, with the part-time spinner conceding 19 runs at the other end. Mukesh bowled Brian Bennett in the next over as the batsman hit him for back-to-back sixes but it was really Avesh Khan's double wicket over that made the powerplay decisive for India. Myers goes straight to cover before skipper Raja bounces out.
Middle over: Spinners in action
Phase Score: 47/3 (3x4s, 1x6s)
Once the pacers did their thing in the powerplay, the spinners reigned supreme in the middle overs. Ravi Bishnoi, who conceded just 3 runs in his first two overs, took the wicket of Clive Madande (LBW) in the third ball. At the other end, Washington Sundar was slightly less productive but just as effective, giving back the wicket of a mistimed slog sweeper Jonathan Campbell. After the powerplay, the duo bowled six overs together and conceded 25 runs while taking two wickets. And that was pretty much the match.
Death Over: Only a Matter of Time
Phase Score: 29/3 (2x4s)
Once Zimbabwe lost too many wickets at the top and then couldn't go into the middle overs, the writing was on the wall. Opener Wesley Madhavere hung around until the 17th over but once he got Bishnoi out, the end seemed nigh. Avesh Khan caught Muzarabani at mid-on with a hard length ball before slicing it to deep backward point from Jongwe Mukesh.
Brief scores: India 234/2 (Abhishek 100, Gaikwad 77*, Rinku 48*) bowled out Zimbabwe for 134 in 18.4 overs (Madhavere 43; Avesh 3-15, Mukesh 3-37)
