Team India, filled with youngsters and IPL stars, won the series by 4-1 against Zimbabwe. After T20 World Cup 2024, greats like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja announced retirement from T20I cricket. As BCCI wanted to test bench strength, they gave rest to Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav as well.
Hence, this series became important for team India to see who among youngsters are ready. So, Shubman Gill became captain of the team and he lead Indian team to 4-1 series victory after shocking defeat in first match. In the final match on Sunday, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field first. Yashasvi Jaiswal gave a great start with 2 6’s but got out trying for another.
Shubman Gill(13), Abhishek Sharma(14) also failed to score. Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag(22) came together at this stage to put on a partnership of 65 runs saving India from 40/3 critical position. After Parag got out, Shivam Dube scored 26 runs from 12 balls, giving momentum to the innings. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson completed his fifty and scored 58 runs from 45 balls.
Rinku Singh also scored 11 runs from 9 balls to take India to 167/6 in 20 overs. Later, in the chase, Zimbabwe got strunned by Mukesh Kumar in the powerplay. Tadiwanashe Marumani(27) and Dion Myers(34) tried their best to help in recovery. But they got bundled out for 125 runs in 18.3 overs despite fireworks from Faraz Akram(27).
Shivam Dube bowled 4 overs with ball and took 2/25. Mukesh Kumar proved to be best among bowlers with 4/22 returns. Young Team India looked pleased by their performances and celebrated the victory. Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya could be looked at as all-rounders in coming matches hereafter. Washington Sundar is also knocking on the door with his Player of the Series performance.
