India's second-string team complete 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe

Sunday, 14 July 2024 - 23:47

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India 167 for 6 (Samson 58, Dube 26, Muzarabani 2-19) beat Zimbabwe 125 (Myers 34, Marumani 27, Akram 27, Mukesh 4-22, Dube 2-25) by 42 runs

Zimbabwe kept India to a par total of 167 despite a half-century from Sanju Samson, and they took the upper hand in the chase after a strong powerplay. However, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube hit back with the ball to sniff out any chance of a Zimbabwe victory, and India sealed a 42-run win to complete a splendid series turnaround in Harare after losing the opening fixture of the series.

Sunday's victory was India's fourth win in a row, all completed in comfortable fashion.

India captain Shubman Gill said his team, which included only three of the squad that won the T20 World Cup last month, had adapted well to conditions after losing the opening match.

"It was an excellent series," said Gill. "The hunger that we showed after the first loss was phenomenal. A lot of the players had long flights and they weren't used to conditions. The way they adapted was remarkable."

India made 167 for six after being sent in on Sunday. Sanju Samson top-scored with 58 off 45 balls. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 125.

The final match got off to an extraordinary start when Yashasvi Jaiswal hit sixes off the first two deliveries.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza bowled a no-ball full toss which Jaiswal hit over the midwicket boundary. Jaiswal took advantage of the free hit by slamming the first legal delivery over Raza’s head for another six.

But Raza fired in a quicker yorker and bowled Jaiswal for 12 three balls later.

India lost their first three wickets for 40 runs before Samson and Riyan Parag (22) added 65 for the fourth wicket. Shivam Dube hammered an unbeaten 26 off 12 balls at the end of the innings. He followed up with two wickets and was named player of the match.

Tall fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani was again Zimbabwe's best bowler, taking two for 19 in four overs. He took six wickets in the series and conceded only six runs an over.

Raza praised Muzarabani for his consistent performances but said Zimbabwe's batting and fielding was below par. "The grey area for me will remain our attitude in the field."

Mukesh Kumar took the first two Zimbabwe wickets in his first two overs and then finished off the match with two more in his final over.

Despite playing in only three matches he took eight wickets to finish level with off-spinner Washington Sundar as India's leading wicket-taker.

Sundar, who conceded just over five runs an over during the five matches, was named player of the series.

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