IND vs ZIM T20 2024: World champions India go down to Zimbabwe by 13 runs in first match

The Indian men’s cricket team, playing their first match since winning the T20 World Cup last week, lost to hosts Zimbabwe by 13 runs in the first of the five-match IND vs ZIM T20I series at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Shubman Gill, captaining the new-look Indian T20I side for the first time, opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Ravi Bishnoi did most of the damage with the ball and picked up four wickets to restrict the hosts to a score of 115/9 in 20 overs.

In reply, India got off to a terrible start and lost four wickets inside the powerplay. Gill and Washington Sundar helped India take the game deep but the visitors fell short by 13 runs as the Zimbabwe cricket team pulled off their third win over India in the shortest format.

Despite the bowlers, led by Bishnoi’s spell of 4/13, putting on a disciplined effort, Indian batters endured a difficult evening in Harare. Only three players - Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan - managed to get into double digits.

Mukesh Kumar struck early for the Men in Blue in the first innings and dismissed Innocent Kaia for a golden duck on his first ball. Brian Bennett was the next to follow after a well-made knock of 22(15).

Having dismissed Bennett, Bishnoi returned to pick up the wicket of opener Wesley Madhevere, who scored 21(22). Captain Sikandar Raza and Dion Myers looked solid in the middle before they lost their wickets to Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar, respectively.

Sundar also ran out Johnathan Campbell and dismissed Wellington Masakadza for a golden duck while Bishnoi picked up two more wickets.

Clive Madande, however, stood his ground despite wickets falling at the other end. It was because of Madande’s knock of 29 off 25 balls that the hosts were able to get 115/9 on the scoreboard.

The Indian chase began with Abhishek Sharma getting out on a duck in the first over. The Zimbabwe bowling unit, with their tails up, reduced India to 22/4 inside the powerplay.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (7) lost his wicket to Blessing Muzarabani while Tendai Chetara got rid of Riyan Parag (2) and Rinku Singh (0).

Dhruv Jurel was the next to follow after scoring six runs while captain Shubman Gill, who looked in fine form, got out after making a 29-ball 31.

Washington Sundar took the game deep but the opposition bowlers remained disciplined in the death overs to clinch a memorable win.

Tendai Chatara, who registered a spell of 3/16 that included a maiden, was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe. Captain Sikandar Raza also managed three dismissals.

The second India vs Zimbabwe T20 match will be played on Sunday at the same venue.

IND vs ZIM 1st T20 2024 brief scores: Zimbabwe 115/9 in 20 overs (Clive Madande 29*, Dion Myers 23; Ravi Bishnoi 4/13) beat India 102/10 in 19.5 overs (Shubman Gill 31, Washington Sundar 27; Tendai Chatara 3/26, Sikandar Raza 3/25) by 13 runs.