India suffered a shocking defeat by 13 runs against Zimbabwe in the first T20I. (Picture Credit: AP)
In reply to Zimbabwe’s total of 115 runs, the Shubman Gill-led side could only manage to score 102 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 19.5 overs.
India suffered a shocking defeat by 13 runs against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the ongoing five-match series. In the series opener played at Harare Sports Club on Saturday (July 6), Indian skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. The Sikandar Raza-led side posted a total of 115 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. And it proved to be enough in the end, as the Indian team could only manage to score 102 runs in 19.5 overs.
India handed T20I debuts to Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel in the series opener, but they got out for 0, 2, and 6 runs, respectively. For Zimbabwe, Player of the Match Sikandar Raza picked up three wickets for 25 runs in four overs, and three batters were also sent back to the pavilion by pacer Tendai Chatara. The 33-year-old right-arm pacer who dismissed Parag, Rinku, and Sundar finished the match with figures of 3 for 16 in 3.5 overs.
The defeat against Zimbabwe in the first T20I was a bitter pill to swallow for the Indian fans, who a week ago celebrated the T20 World Cup title win.
Big big result for Zimbabwe.The cricket community there must be elated. #INDvZIM
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) July 6, 2024
World Cup jeetne k baad bilateral series mein B team ko khilaa ke match haarna .. We are finally going by the champions way .. Aussie mindset it is #INDvsZIM #INDvZIM— Nishant (@NishantTweets30) July 6, 2024
No player from India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad was part of India’s team for the series opener against Zimbabwe, and the inexperience of the side was clearly evident on the field. The likes of Abhishek, Parag, and Rinku failed to live up to the billing and crumbled under pressure.
2nd T20I on Sunday
After going down in the first T20I on Saturday, Indian players would like to make a comeback on Sunday (July 7) in the second T20I, which will be played at the same venue. India has never lost two T20Is in a row against Zimbabwe, and in his first series as India captain, Shubman Gill will be eager to avoid the unwanted record.