IND vs ZIM T20 2024: Abhishek Sharma’s ton helps India dominate second match against Zimbabwe
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh remained unbeaten, scoring 77 and 48, respectively. Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar took three wickets each as India won by 100 runs.
Cricket
The Indian men’s cricket team bounced back to win the second of the five-match IND vs ZIM T20I series by 100 runs at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday after being rocked in the first game on Saturday.
Having won the toss, India opted to bat first. Abhishek Sharma scored his maiden international century and Ruturaj Gaikwad remained not out on 77 to help India post a massive total of 234/2.
In reply, the Zimbabwe cricket team never looked in command after losing four wickets in the powerplay. Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan took three wickets each as the hosts were bundled out for 134 in 18.4 overs.
The visitors looked in trouble early on in the first innings when Indian captain Shubman Gill got out cheaply in the second over. However, Abhishek Sharma, who got out on a duck in the first match, hammered a 47-ball 100 to spearhead the Indian batting effort.
Abhishek’s innings included seven boundaries and eight sixes. He brought his century with three consecutive maximums in the 14th over and was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani on the final ball of the same over. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh took charge after Abhishek’s departure.
While Ruturaj remained not out on 77(47) with the help of 11 fours and a six, Rinku, who also got out on a duck in the last game, added 48 (22) unbeaten runs at a strike rate of 218.18.
Ruturaj shared a 137-run partnership with Abhishek and an 87-run stand with Rinku to help India get 234/2 on the scoreboard.
Chasing the mammoth target, Zimbabwe lost opener Innocent Kaia in the first over. Mukesh Kumar also picked up the wicket of Brian Bennett, who made a quick-fire 26 off 9, in his opening spell. The hosts were reduced to 46/4 inside four overs.
Wesley Madhevere held up one end for Zimbabwe and went on to score 43(39). However, besides a knock of 33(26) from Luke Jongwe lower down the order, wickets kept falling at the other end for the hosts.
Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan picked up three wickets each while Ravi Bishnoi also registered two dismissals, bowling at an economy rate of 2.75. India eventually bowled out Zimbabwe for 134 in 18.4 overs and clinched a 100-run victory.
After two matches, the series is tied at 1-1. The third India vs Zimbabwe T20 match will be played on Wednesday. All games in the five-match series are being played at the same venue.
IND vs ZIM 2nd T20 2024 brief scores: India 234/2 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 100, Ruturaj Gaikwad 77*; Wellington Masakadza 1/29) beat Zimbabwe 134/10 in 18.4 overs (Wesley Madhevere 43, Luke Jongwe 33; Avesh Khan 3/15) by 100 runs.