IND vs ZIM 2024, 3rd T20I: Who won yesterday’s India vs Zimbabwe match?
India beat Zimbabwe by 23 runs in yesterday’s T20I match at the Harare Sports Club to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Batting first after winning the toss, India put up 182-4 before holding the hosts to 159-6.
Team India made three changes to their playing XI, bringing in 2024 T20 World Cup winners Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. Jaiswal opened the innings with skipper Shubman Gill and added 67 at a brisk pace - in 8.1 overs. The opening stand was broken when Jaiswal (36) fell attempting the switch hit off Sikandar Raza.
Abhishek Sharma couldn't repeat his exploits from the previous T20I and was dismissed for 10, pulling one from Raza to deep midwicket. Skipper Gill (66 off 49) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (49 off 28) lifted India, adding 72 for the third wicket. Both batters looked at ease during their stay at the crease.
Gill perished in the 18th over, skying a catch off Blessing Muzarabani as he was done in by the bounce. Samson (12* off 7) chipped in with a handy cameo to take the visitors past 180. Zimbabwe were atrocious in the field, dropping three catches and committing numerous misfields.
Washington Sundar stars with the ball for India
Chasing 183, Zimbabwe got off to a horror start, losing half their side for 39 in seven overs. Wessly Madhevere (1) was the first to go, punching a back of length delivery from Avesh Khan to short cover, while Tadiwanashe Marumani (13) completely miscued a length ball from Khaleel Ahmed.
Brian Bennett (4) fell to a superb leaping catch by Ravi Bishnoi at backward point off Avesh. Sundar then dismissed Raza (15) and Johnathan Campbell (1) in the seventh over. The Zimbabwe skipper hit one straight to deep square leg, while Campbell was caught at slip off a tossed-up delivery.
Dion Myers (65* off 49) and Clive Madande (37 off 26) added 77 for the sixth wicket to ensure that Zimbabwe didn't go down without a fight. They, however, never threatened India's target.
Who was the Player of the Match in yesterday’s India vs Zimbabwe T20I?
Skipper Gill top-scored for India with 66, while Gaikwad contributed a brisk 49. With the ball, Sundar starred with 3-15, while Avesh picked up two scalps.
For Zimbabwe, Muzarabani and Raza claimed two wickets each. In the chase, Myers contributed a defiant half-century. Sundar, though, was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling effort.