Shubman Gill leads an inexperienced Indian team that has arrived in Zimbabwe ahead of their five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, joined by National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman.
Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma and Dhruv Jurel of IPL fame have received their maiden India calls-up for the Zimbabwe tour, joining Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan amongst others in the squad. In this article, we will discuss the high lights of Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Stats.
India vs Zimbabwe
India will look to build on their dominant performance from the opening T20I by taking another win in Bulawayo at Queen’s Sports Club – they have met 10 times in this format so far with India winning seven times, while Zimbabwe managing three.
Zimbabwe, despite their initial test results being dismal, quickly established themselves as competitive one-day cricket players and gained world respect for their fielding skills. Players such as Andy Flower – considered one of the finest batsmen at that time – and wicket-keeper Heath Streak rose through their ranks while Eddo Brandes stood out with his pace bowling attack that often resulted in ODI hat-tricks.
Zimbabwe was facing economic and political difficulties at home and struggled to balance them through cricket. In 2004, players donned black armbands as a form of protest against Robert Mugabe’s regime; along with Heath Streak’s dismissal as captain and mass player walkouts in 2004, this protest ultimately resulted in suspension from Test cricket.
Zimbabwe returned to international cricket in 2007 following its financial woes were eased by an agreement from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pay match fees in US dollars, helping prevent player exodus that had taken place after 2003 World Cup. To commemorate this return to action, Zimbabwean team players wear white shirts featuring the Zimbabwe bird insignia on one chest side while their sponsor logo can be found on the opposite. Batsmen wear either dark green or white sunhats during play.
1st T20I
On July 6 at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, India and Zimbabwe took part in their five-match Twenty20 International Series, starting with Game 1. India won by four wickets after restricting Zimbabwe to just 102 runs bowled out by captain Shubman Gill who then elected to bowl first after winning the toss and electing bowling first as captain of India.
India have never lost to Zimbabwe in T20 Internationals, winning all previous encounters. Nonetheless, their hosts will be keen to make amends after suffering a severe dip in form that saw them lose both Tests against South Africa on tour this year and then succumbing to New Zealand in an emphatic 116 run win earlier this summer at home.
With senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami retiring from T20 Internationals, now is an opportune moment for young talent such as Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh taking to the field again after Hurricane Beryl left them stranded on Barbados. These players will look to make an impression against Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza who recently took charge following Graeme Cremer’s dismissal while boasting 86 T20I appearances himself! He will be joined by players such as Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani Richard Ngarava.
2nd T20I
Shubman Gill will look to build on his side’s momentum when they face Zimbabwe in Harare Sports Club on Thursday in match two of their five-match T20 series. Coached by National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman in lieu of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India have arrived with hopes of upsetting Zimbabwean hosts in order to do battle.
Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh led an Indian middle order run that enabled them to post an impressive 182 for four in 20 overs despite initially trailing behind Zimbabwe’s scoreboard. Zimbabwe struggled for runs in response, being bowled out for only 159 runs after 20 overs.
There will be some intriguing selection decisions as the visitors seek to provide game time to Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, neither of whom played any T20 World Cup matches this time around. Shivam Dube could replace Dhruv Jurel as an extra batsman; Washington Sundar could also be replaced by left-arm spinner Richard Ngarava for an infusion of freshness into their attack; although, in an ideal world, six out of a potential eleven will remain unchanged to maintain continuity – giving young players an opportunity to impress against local crowds!
3rd T20I
Shubman Gill’s India will look to extend their winning run against Zimbabwe to three matches when they take on their hosts at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday. Abhishek Sharma’s century along with contributions from Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh and Dhruv Jurel helped build an invincible score of 235 for India while Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar collected three wickets to demolish Zimbabwe’s batting lineup completely.
Zimbabwe have suffered an alarming batting collapse this year, failing to score even one limited-overs century so far this season. Their failure has coincided with their inability to handle spinners who have dominated this series; spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar in particular have torn through their opponents’ lineup, leaving Sikandar Raza relatively unscathed so far.
Sanju Samson will return to India’s side during this third T20I. Having missed out on inclusion in their World Cup squad, Samson could make his mark by replacing wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and becoming only the fourth youngest player ever to play 30 T20Is at this level – an opportunity which should not be passed up!
4th T20I
India, led by Shubman Gill, are targeting a series victory against Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I. This game will serve as a great test for young Indian players as it gives them an opportunity to cement their place in future series squads and for Abhishek Sharma, Washington Sundar and others to prove they can perform on winning sides.
India bowlers have excelled throughout this series so far. Khaleel Ahmed has been reliable with the ball while Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi have taken crucial wickets at crucial times. Additionally, spinners have kept the run rate in check by not permitting batsmen to score big hits.
On the other hand, Zimbabwean bowlers have not been effective during this series. Blessing Muzarabani has proven his worth as an effective T20I cricket bowler by using his height well and getting great bounce.
Zimbabwean batsman have struggled throughout this series. Sikandar Raza has been critical of his batting unit and hopes they perform better in future T20Is. Additionally, their catching needs to improve, so hopefully they can bring success on in game four of T20I series.
5th T20I
After their disappointing series against New Zealand, Zimbabwe are rebuilding under new coach Justin Sammons. Under Sikandar Raza’s experienced all-round leadership is an exceptional young squad comprising Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara and Innocent Kaia along with Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani as batsmen and Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani (bowler). However, notable stars like Craig Ervine, Sean Williams Ryan Burl and Joylord Gumbie remain absented.
Zimbabwe have struggled in both of the first two T20 Internationals but will look to give their fans something to cheer about during the final match at Harare Sports Club on July 6. India have won all four T20Is so far in this five-match series and remain undefeated.
Shubman Gill will lead a young Indian team that has been given ample rest after its success at the World Cup. India will hope to replicate their dominant performance from their second T20I against Zimbabwe where Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel and Rinku Singh made powerful innings to amass 234. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for only 134 runs with Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar picking up wickets along the way.
Indian cricket team arrived in Harare on Wednesday as they prepared to face an impressive Zimbabwe cricket squad at Queen’s Park Oval. Video posted by Zimbabwe Cricket showed their players exiting from Harare International Airport.
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