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Harare, Wednesday: Fine bowling performances by Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan helped India overcome a scare from a 77-run partnership between Dion Myers and Clive Madande, securing a 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the 3rd T20I of the five-match series. With this win, India leads the series 2-1, with two games remaining.
Chasing 183, Zimbabwe got off to a strong start as Tadiwanashe Marumani hit two boundaries in the first over. However, Avesh Khan struck back in the second over, dismissing Wesley Madhevere for just one run, thanks to a sharp catch by Abhishek Sharma. Zimbabwe was 9/1 in 1.1 overs.
Khaleel Ahmed ended Marumani’s short innings of 13 runs off 10 balls. Shivam Dube took a fine catch at mid-on, reducing Zimbabwe to 19/2 in 2.4 overs.
Avesh Khan continued his excellent form, getting his second wicket as Brian Bennett was dismissed for four runs, caught by Ravi Bishnoi. Zimbabwe was in trouble at 19/3 in 3.1 overs.
Skipper Sikandar Raza tried to steady the innings by hitting three boundaries. However, Washington Sundar’s spin put Zimbabwe in trouble again. Sundar dismissed Raza (15) and Johnathan Campbell (1), with Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag taking the catches. Zimbabwe slumped to 39/5 in seven overs.
Dion Myers and Clive Madande then began a counter-attack. Zimbabwe reached the 50-run mark in 9.1 overs and was 60/5 at the halfway point of their innings, with Myers and Madande leading the recovery.
The pair took on Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube, hitting three fours and two sixes off Shivam. Zimbabwe reached 100 runs in 14.2 overs, with the duo bringing up their 50-run stand in 39 balls.
At the end of 15 overs, Zimbabwe was 110/5, with Myers on 39* and Madande on 35* still batting. Washington Sundar broke their partnership by dismissing Madande for 37 runs off 26 balls. Zimbabwe then was 116/6 in 16.3 overs, ending their 77-run stand.
Myers reached his maiden T20I fifty in 45 balls. Despite his efforts, Zimbabwe couldn’t reach the target. Avesh’s final over went for 18 runs, with Myers and Wellington Masakadza finishing strong. Zimbabwe ended at 159/6 in their 20 overs, with Myers unbeaten on 65 and Masakadza on 18.
Washington Sundar was the pick of the bowlers with 3/15, while Avesh Khan (2/39) and Khaleel Ahmed (1/15) also contributed significantly.
Earlier, skipper Shubman Gill’s fine half-century and crucial partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad helped India post 182/4 in their 20 overs.
Jaiswal and Gill provided a solid start, with Jaiswal hitting 36 runs off 27 balls. After Jaiswal’s dismissal, Gill and Abhishek Sharma continued the momentum. Gill reached his second T20I fifty in 36 balls and formed a crucial 72-run partnership with Gaikwad. Gill was eventually dismissed for 66, and Gaikwad fell one short of his half-century, scoring 49.
India ended their innings at 182/4, with Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson unbeaten. Blessing Muzarabani (2/25) and Sikandar Raza (2/24) were the top bowlers for Zimbabwe.
Brief Scores:
- India: 182/4 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 49, Shubman Gill 66, Sikandar Raza 2/24)
- Zimbabwe: 159/6 (Dion Myers 65*, Clive Madande 37, Washington Sundar 3/15)
With this victory, India leads the series 2-1 and looks forward to the remaining two matches.
