The openers lost the series to Zimbabwe
India's opening pair of Yasshwi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill led India to a 10 wicket win over Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I to clinch the series 3-1.
The openers lost the series to Zimbabwe
India's opening pair of Yasshwi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill led India to a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I to clinch the series 3-1. Chasing a modest target of 153, India were in complete control as Yasshwi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 93 while Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 58 at the other end.
Difference between the two sides?
It is difficult to point to one phase of the game as the difference in how ruthless India were in the run chase. But Zimbabwe will rue the way they batted in the middle overs after a tough start with India holding the upper hand in the powerplay as well.
Zimbabwe: Powerplay - A solid start
Phase Score - 44/0 [RR: 7.33, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Wesley Madhvere gave Zimbabwe an ideal start with three boundaries in the first two overs, including debutant Tushar Deshpande. Zimbabwe scored 39 runs in the first five overs before Washington closed out the powerplay in pretty tight fashion.
Zimbabwe lost their way in the middle overs
Phase Score - 54/4 [RR: 6.00, 4s/6s: 2/1]
While the openers managed to build a half-century partnership, Zimbabwe squandered the start and allowed India to struggle through the wickets. Tadiwanashe Marumoni found the fielder trying to break free and Shivam Dubey struck in his first over to send the other opener back to the pavilion as well. Sikandar Raja tried to get going with a boundary and a six but Washington ended Brian Bennett's misery. In the next over it fell to King to deliver a run out death.
Death Over - King Sizzle
Phase Score - 54/3 [RR: 10.8, 4s/6s: 2/2]
The Zimbabwe captain stood by his side, as he has done many times over the years. After smashing Washington for a six, Raja scored a four and a six off Khalil to score 40 off just 20 balls at one stage. Had Deshpande not dismissed him in the last over, Zimbabwe could have gone past 160. A brilliant final over from Khalil saw him finish with a 152 on the board.
India: Powerplay - Jaiswal breaks free
Phase Score - 61/0 [RR - 10.16, 4s/6s - 10/0]
In expected lines, Jaiswal took an aggressive approach from the word go. The first over of the chase saw three boundaries before Shubman Gill hit two fours off Blessing Mujarabani's second ball. Jaiswal then ripped into Tendai Chatara, hitting him for four boundaries as India made 43 in just three overs. This set the tone for the rest of the chase as India never lost control. The last two overs of PP were quiet but India still finished with 61 runs.
Middle over – Ruthless openers get the job done
Phase Score - 90/0 [RR - 10, 4s/6s - 8/4]
Even the ever-reliable Raja could not stop the onslaught as Jaiswal greeted him with a couple of boundaries en route to his half-century. Raja had to withdraw from the attack after conceding 24 runs in his first two overs but the bowling change had little impact. The whole attack was sent on a leather hunt across the chase. Gill played second fiddle to Jaiswal who at one stage could have looked a brilliant century before Gill added a couple of runs to his half-century. India scored 90 in the middle overs and needed two more deliveries in the 16th over to finish the job.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 152/7 in 20 overs (Sikander Raja 46; Khalil Ahmed 2/32) lost to India 156/0 in 15.2 overs (Yashwi Jaiswal 93*, Shubman Gill 58*) by 10 wickets
