After a dismissive performance by the Zimbabweans in the 3 match ODI series against India, the two teams met again but this time for T20Is. The 3 match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe started today at the Harare Sports Club where Zimbabwe were the clear underdogs. The pitch seemed to be good for batting with not a lot of cracks but M.S Dhoni after winning the toss opted to bowl first.

The opening spell now saw a new pair of bowlers as both Barinder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni were replaced by Jaydev Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan. The bowlers started well until Masakadza started to play some crisp shots. However, Bumrah’s introduction with ball saw the first wicket fall as Masakadza tried to be cheeky. Another ripper by Jaydev Unadkat hit Mutumbani around the rib cage as he was seen wobbling out of the field in agony. It was a good contest between bat and ball as Zimbabwe were 72/2 in 10 overs. Zimbabwe managed to go at steady pace by scoring 40 runs in the next 5 overs which meant that they were 111/4 with E. Chigumbura in the crease. Zimbabwe however displayed their character in the last 5 overs as they scored 59 majorly due to an excellent knock by E. Chigumbura who scored an unbeaten 54 of 26 balls taking Zimbabwe to a fighting total of 170. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers as he finished his quota of 4 overs taking 2 wickets and giving away just 24 runs.

The Indian opening pair of K.L Rahul and Mandeep Singh walked out in the middle chasing a score of 171. Zimbabwe however started off the innings with a bang dismissing the in form K.L Rahul of the first ball. Ambati Rayudu and Mandeep Singh took the innings forward patiently and started exploding from the 4th over scoring 4 boundaries in 2 overs. Ambati Rayudu in the quest to score quick runs perished off the last ball of the powerplay contributing 19 of 16 balls. Mandeep Singh also fell in the next over for 31 as India lost both the set batsmen quickly. Manish Pandey and Kedar now had the responsibility to steady the ship for India as they were at 69 /3 in 10 overs. Manish Pandey played a gem of an innings under pressure scoring 48 of 35 balls but gave his wicket away with just 28 needed for victory. The onus was now on the skipper M.S Dhoni to help Team India cross the line. A few good blows by Axar Patel meant that India needed 8 of the last over. Neville Madziva however had other plans as he picked up Axar in the second ball of his over and with 4 runs of 1 ball required he bowled it short and wide conceding just a single.

Zimbabwe won by two runs in a game that was filled with twist and turns. E. Chigumbura’s exceptional knock and a good bowling performance by the team under pressure made sure that Zimbabwe go 1 – 0 up in the series.