India's 3 highest run-scorers vs Zimbabwe in T20Is ft. KL RahulÂ
India's tour of Zimbabwe has become an iconic rubber of sorts.
For the hosts, it gives the chance to entertain the biggest market in sport and earn some valuable support for their coffers. For the tourists, it's the perfect opportunity to try out new players against an ever-improving side or ease seniors into the side after injuries.
That also reflects on the records, like when you see the highest run-scorers in Zimbabwe for India. Check the top-three here.
#3 Murali Vijay
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Murali Vijay was an understated star for India, especially in Tests. One of the most technically sound batters, he gave brilliant starts to the side even in the most difficult overseas conditions.
However, he struggled to convert it in T20Is. After a good IPL in 2010, he was taken to the T20 World Cup where he struggled. Then in the subsequent series in Zimbabwe, he scored a 5 (5) and a decent 46 (39). He was dropped from the team soon after.
Then, in 2015, the selectors gave him a second chance. He looked good in the first T20I, scoring 34 (19) but was unfortunately run-out. A failure in the second game ended his T20I career.
Still his 98 runs stand as the third-best for India against the African nation.
#2 Suresh Raina
T20I legend Suresh Raina took only two innings to surpass Vijay's tally in 2010, which was the highest at that time. On that tour, he was India's captain as the selectors gave seniors a rest.
He scored 100 runs in two innings, with only one dismissal making his average 100. The best thing about him in that series was he wasn't taking too much time and playing T20 the right way -- with a strike rate of 164 -- and was ahead of his time in that sense.
In the first match he got out for 28 (17) and in the second match, where Vijay scored 46, he notched a stunning unbeaten 72 (44) to win India the game and seal the series.
#1 KL Rahul
Although Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul didn't follow in Raina's footsteps in maintaining a good T20-friendly strike rate, he did what he does best - accumulating runs. He collected 120 of them in four innings across 2016 and 2022, becoming the highest run-scorer for India against Zimbabwe.
After a first-ball duck in his maiden knock against Zimbabwe, he scored an unbeaten 47 (40) followed by 22 (20) in the second. Then when India met Zimbabwe in the 2022 men's T20 World Cup, he scored a good 51 (35) with three fours and three sixes.