IND vs ZIM: Fans enjoy Abhishek Sharma's 100 and Ruturaj Gaikwad's 50 as India post 234 vs Zimbabwe
This total by India is the highest team total against Zimbabwe, surpassing the 229/2 set by Australia in Harare in 2018.
Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad
Just what Indian fans wanted to see! Not even 24 hours ago, the Men in Blue were bowled out for a paltry total of 102, and now they have bounced back in style by posting a huge total of 234/2. This total by India is the highest team total against Zimbabwe, surpassing the 229/2 set by Australia in Harare in 2018. In fact, the young brigade smashed 14 sixes - the second most hit against Zimbabwe in T20Is after Afghanistan had hit 15 in 2019 in Mirpur.
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After losing skipper Shubman Gill for just 2 runs, Abhishek Sharma, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, kept the scoreboard ticking and then smashed every ball across the park. They respected the good deliveries, but once they got set, the two batters attacked the bowlers. Abhishek went on to notch up his maiden T20I century in 47 balls before he was dismissed, and later Gaikwad shifted gears to score 77* off 47 balls. Even Rinku Singh was in attacking form as he scored 48 off 22.
Seeing all the batters, barring the Indian captain, scoring such mammoth runs got fans taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) to praise them for their remarkable comeback after facing a loss in the first game of the series.
For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza were the only bowlers who managed to take wickets. Dion Myers, who was given 1 over to bowl, was hit for 28 runs in that single over.
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat, making one change. The captain mentioned that Sai Sudharsan was coming in place of Khaleel Ahmed; however, the debutant did not get a chance to bat in this match.
Squads:
India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.