"Absolutely terrible batting performance" - Fans react as India are bowled out for 106 in 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe
Team India suffered an embarrassing 13-run defeat in the first T20I of their five-match series against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in Harare on Saturday, July 6. The Men in Blue failed to chase down a 116-run target, getting bundled out for a paltry score of 102.
Skipper Shubman Gill was the top performer with the bat for India, scoring 31 runs (29 balls). However, he didn't get enough support, with wickets falling like nine pins. Washington Sundar finished with a scratchy 27-run knock off 34 balls, while Avesh Khan scored 16 runs in 12 deliveries.
All the remaining batters registered single-digit scores. A number of fans took to social media, to troll India.
Here are some of the top reactions:
Many Indian supporters expressed their disappointment over the side's batting performances against Zimbabwe.
"India ke batsmen khel to aise rahe jaise 9 no par Virat Kohli aane wala hai impact player ke rup me (India's batters are playing as if Virat Kohli is going to come at No. 9 as impact player)," commented a fan.
"I'm so disappointed to see this new #Indian cricket team's absolutely terrible batting performance against #Zimbabwe. #India got all out in 102 runs and lost by 13 runs while chasing 115 runs in this first #INDvsZIM T20 match. #INDvsZIMOnSonyLiv #ZIMvsIND," wrote another.
"Though Zimbabwe played extremely well, this second string Indian side should have won it much convincingly but a complacent approach & very bad batting ensured humiliation.. This game should hurt them !" chimed in yet another.
India's journey after their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph kicked off on a dismal note, suffering a defeat to Zimbabwe, who didn't even qualify for the showpiece event. It is worth mentioning that this was India's second-string team, with the senior stars rested.
The likes of Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who were part of India's 2024 T20 World-winning squad, are likely to be available from the third T20I onwards.
"Everyone looked a bit rusty" - Shubman Gill on India's 13-run loss to Zimbabwe
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Indian captain Shubman Gill admitted that the team looked rusty in the T20I series opener against Zimbabwe. He also mentioned that they let themselves down in the field.
Gill opined that he needed to stay at the crease till the end after the side lost early wickets. Admitting that India were not up to mark in the encounter, he said:
"We bowled pretty well, we let ourselves down in the field. We were not up to standard and everyone looked a bit rusty. We spoke about taking time and enjoying our batting but it didn't pan out that way.
"Halfway through we had lost five wickets, would've been best for us if I stayed there till the end, very disappointed with the way I got out and the rest of the match panned out. There was a bit of hope for us but when you're chasing 115 and your no.10 batter is out there, you know something is wrong."
The second T20I of the series will be played at Harare Sports Club in Harare on Sunday, July 7.