Shubman Gill and company did not exactly execute the predicted copy of the Indian team’s second Twenty20 International strategy, even though they chose to bat first for the third time in a row after winning the toss.
In Brian Benett’s hesitant opening over, which featured an overstepped delivery that was deftly guided wide of short-third, India quickly reached 15 runs. Gill started his inning and provided much-needed impetus, as if he saw it as a personal challenge. India had a fantastic start to the powerplay, scoring 55 runs and setting themselves up for a much bigger total.
When Jaiswal was removed on the opening delivery of the eighth over and Abhishek Sharma, the game’s centurion, was bowled out by Raza for the second time that day, Gill’s innings took a dramatic turn. One may have expected Gill to take a more conservative stance in the wake of these dismissals, and in fact, such was his approach. He gave Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had hit a magnificent 77* in the last encounter, the opportunity to assume the responsibility of initiating the fast-paced play.
Also Read: ZIM vs. IND 2024: Why is Riyan Parag sitting out the third T20 International?
Before Gill was removed, Gaikwad had reached 36 runs off just 23 balls. He was playing at a high level. He unfortunately ended a fast-paced 49 runs off 28 balls when he was caught at deep point on the third-to-last ball of the innings. However, India had already achieved a respectable total, concluding with 182/4.
Here’s how X reacted to the first innings of the third T20I:
Ruturaj Gaikwad has hit 4 fours and 3 sixes . 4+3=7 . Thala for a reason
. #ZIMvIND
— Mahesh Samuel (@MaheshSamuel4) July 10, 2024
Well Played Ruturaj Gaikwad 49(28)
#ZIMvIND #RuturajGaikwad #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/lxuBWSmqXI
— जंबारू (@jambr123356) July 10, 2024
India captain Shubman Gill’s composed innings of 66 powered India to a comprehensive total in Harare.#ZIMvIND
: https://t.co/ySuVs9CX9F pic.twitter.com/NlxPvUP8Ln
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2024
Amazing knock by @ShubmanGill #ZIMvIND
Meanwhile Dont know why Pakistani fans are creeping on this tweet. BLA BLA BLA pic.twitter.com/P61qf7hFNu
— Aloysius Fernandes (@Aloy_Ferns) July 10, 2024
Why gill opens in cricket if he is not a striker and u can’t hold a position just because of u r captain of the team….gill must play at number 3 #ZIMvIND #Gill #Selfish
— VK_18_
(@viratkkohli18) July 10, 2024
JAISWAL IS HERE
#ZIMvIND #KwiriTravels pic.twitter.com/V1LvbZn7aE
— larry kwirirayi
(@kwirirayi) July 10, 2024
Well played, captain Shubman Gill.
66 (49) with 7 fours and 3 sixes – a captain’s knock by Gill..
.#Thangalaan #ZIMvIND #SonakshiSinha #TestCricket Rinku #GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/EBKSkljtxP— Abhishek Awasthi (@Abhishe41411796) July 10, 2024
Only 3 Indians have now scored more than 500 T20I runs at an average of 35+ & strike rate of 140+
Suryakumar Yadav
Rinku SinghRUTURAJ GAIKWAD#ZIMvIND
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) July 10, 2024
Internet merchant Jaiswal – 133 SR
Prince Gill – 134 SRStatpadder Ruturaj Gaikwad – just 175 SR#ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/AHlYeD1LFf
— Navneet MSDian
(@MSDian067) July 10, 2024
Captain Gill comes to the party and puts #TeamIndia in a formidable position.
A wicket that our bowlers would enjoy defending this score on. Let’s go!
#PlayBold #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/pF2DBLWhvF
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 10, 2024
First
as Skipper!
#AavaDe | #ZIMvIND
[BCCI] pic.twitter.com/44Z3Gbk959
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 10, 2024
India captain Shubman Gill’s composed innings of 66 powered India to a comprehensive total in Harare.#ZIMvIND
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2024
India
