India vs Zimbabwe 2024 Highlights: 3 moments that generated buzz among fans in 5-match T20I series ft. Abhishek Sharma
Team India clinched a 4-1 victory over Zimbabwe in the recently concluded five-match T20I series. All the five games were played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
The Men in Blue squad featured many new faces, with most members from the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning side rested for the assignment. Shubman Gill was appointed as the captain for the rubber.
The likes of Sai Sudharsan, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Tushar Deshpande received their maiden T20I cap during the series. Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who were part of India's T20 World Cup-winning roster, featured in the last three games of the series.
The Shubman Gill-led side suffered a 13-run defeat in the opening encounter. However, they bounced back after the early setback to claim four successive victories.
The series ended with India completing a 42-run win in the fifth T20I on Sunday, July 14, which was a dead rubber. Chasin a 168-run target, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 125.
Washington Sundar was named the Player of the Series. The crafty spinner bagged eight wickets from five outings at an economy rate of 5.16. He also chipped in with a 27-run knock in the first fixture.
Here, we take a look at three moments from the India vs Zimbabwe series that generated buzz among the fans.
#1 An inspired bowling performance from Zimbabwe to bundle out India for 102 in 1st T20I
India won the toss and chose to field first in the T20I series opener. Ravi Bishnoi stole the show with a stunning four-wicket haul, as Zimbabwe's innings ended at 115/9 after 20 overs.
At the halfway mark, the visitors seemed to be firm favorites to win the match. However, the Zimbabwean bowlers had other plans. The hosts came up with a spirited bowling performance, bundling out the Shubman Gill-led side for a paltry score of 102.
Skipper Sikandar Raza was adjudged the Player of the Match for claiming three wickets and scoring 17 runs in the low-scoring encounter. Pacer Tendai Chatara also bagged three scalps in the contest.
#2 Abhishek Sharma announced himself on the big stage with a blistering ton
Abhishek Sharma earned his maiden India call-up after being named in the squad for the Zimbabwe series. He had a forgettable debut outing, where he was dismissed for a four-ball duck.
The southpaw made amends in the subsequent fixtures, dazzling viewers with a spectacular knock. Playing in just his second T20I, Abhishek notched up his maiden century, scoring 100 runs off just 47 deliveries.
He took the Zimbabwean bowlers to the cleaners, hitting eight sixes and seven fours. The talented youngster crossed the 100-run mark with a hattrick of sixes against Wellington Masakadza.
Abhishek's batting exploits helped the touring party post an imposing 234-run total. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 134 and lost the game by 100 runs.
#3 Ravi Bishnoi's stunning flying catch to dismiss Brian Bennett in 3rd T20I
Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi's fielding brilliance in the third T20I earned widespread praise from fans. In the third over of Zimbabwe's innings, Brian Bennett hit a cut shot off Avesh Khan's bowling.
He seemed to have got a good connection and the ball flew towards the backward point region. Bishnoi jumped in the air and completed a sharp catch to dismiss the batter.
The Indian players seemed mightily impressed with Bishnoi's effort and ran towards him to celebrate the catch.