At the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, July 6, Zimbabwe defeated India by 13 runs in the opening Twenty20 International to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Zimbabwe was asked to bat first by India after they won the toss, since the pitch appeared suitable for batting. With the first delivery of the second over, Innocent Kaia was bowled out for a golden duck by Mukesh Kumar. Zimbabwe reached 40 after five overs because to three boundaries each from Wesley Madhevere and five from Brian Bennett. But the hosts fell to 51/3 in the eighth over when Madhevere and Bennett were removed in quick succession.
The innings was steadied by a 23-run partnership between captain Sikandar Raza and the returning Dion Myers. But in the twelfth over, Zimbabwe lost two wickets for 74 runs, losing half their team. The African team was battling at 90/9 in the 16th over when the following four wickets fell in the space of a few minutes. But Clive Madande, who batted with Tendai Chatara during the 20 overs, proved to be a lifesaver for Zimbabwe. Raza’s team concluded at 115/9 after a partnership for the final wicket gave 25 runs. At 29 off 25 balls, Madande was still undefeated. With a four-for and just 13 runs conceded in his four overs, Ravi Bishnoi was India’s best bowler.
Brian Bennett started the innings with a wicket maiden, and India lost Abhishek Sharma for a four-ball duck in reply. For the Men in Blue, the Indian middle and top order collapsed, and captain Shubman Gill had to save his side from a dire situation at 22/4 in five overs.
Before getting out in the tenth over, Dhruv Jurel and Shubman scored 21 runs together. Shubman reached a 29-ball 31 with some lovely stroke play. His opposing number, who did a fantastic job as captain that day, sacked him.
India were in terrible shape at 47/6 at the 11-over point, with Washington Sundar the only remaining experienced batsman. Though they couldn’t stay for very long, Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan contributed a few boundaries. Ultimately, Tendai Chatara was bowling the final over, which required Sundar to get 16 runs. But in the end, he was removed for a just 27 off 34 balls as India was bowled out for 102. For Zimbabwe to pull off a historic victory, Raza and Chatara each scored their individual three-fers.
Losing captain, Shubman Gill said:
We bowled well, but we let ourselves down in the field. Looked a bit rusty. We wanted to take time, enjoy the batting, but didn’t pan out that way. Halfway down, we’d lost five wickets. Would’ve been best if I’d stayed till the end. Disappointed with the way I got out and how it panned out. Washi kept hopes up. When you have to chase 115 and your No. 10 bat is the one you want winning you the game, you know something’s gone wrong.
Player of the Match and winning captain, Sikandar Raza said:
Feel really happy. Gotta take one day at the time. Job’s not done, series not over. I don’t think it’s a 116 wicket, it’s nor a wicket where you get all out for 103. So, credit to the bowlers. Was I not captaining that series, or that game? 115 wasn’t many. I told not to care about the result, just wanted to show fight and give the crowd what they wanted. We were brilliant in the field. Not perfect, but that shows there’s room for improvement. We knew the fans will be there encouraging us. We felt like we were a team of 12, again
India
