IND vs ZIM T20 2024: Captain Shubman Gill helps India take 2-1 lead over Zimbabwe in five-match series

The Indian men’s cricket team defeated Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20 international at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match IND vs ZIM T20I series.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Indian captain Shubman Gill scored a half-century while Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed a quickfire 49 to help India post 182/4.

Zimbabwe, in reply, could only master 159/6 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar picked up three wickets while Dion Myers’ scored an unbeaten 65.

Earlier, Gill paired up with Yashasvi Jaiswal (36 off 27) to stitch a 67-run opening partnership before Jaiswal’s dismissal in the ninth over.

Abhishek Sharma, who slammed a ton in the second T20I, failed to repeat his heroics and was caught on 10.

The 24-year-old Gill, however, hit seven fours and three sixes en route to 66 runs off 49 balls to finish as India’s top scorer in the match. It was his second T20I half-century.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, coming in at No. 4, slammed 49 off 28 at a strike rate of 175. Despite falling one run short of consecutive half-centuries, Gaikwad put up a 72-run stand with Gill.

Sanju Samson (12) and Rinku Singh (1) remained unbeaten as India finished with 182/4 in their 20 overs. Blessing Muzarabani and captain Sikandar Raza, meanwhile, took two wickets each for Zimbabwe.

Chasing 183 for the victory, the hosts lost Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brain Bennett early.

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar, then, scalped Sikandar Raza and Johnathan Campbell in the seventh over as Zimbabwe were left reeling at 39/5.

Dion Myers and Clive Madande rebuilt the innings for the hosts with a 77-run partnership.

Madande, however, was caught for 37 off 26 in the 17th over. Myers remained unbeaten with 65 off 49, his maiden T20 international half-century, to finish as the hosts’ top scorer.

Despite Wellington Masakadza’s blitzkrieg (18 off 10) at the end, India restricted Zimbabwe to 159/6 in 20 overs and sealed a 23-run victory.

Sundar was India’s most effective bowler, finishing with 3/15 in four overs with an economy rate of only 3.75. Avesh Khan, meanwhile, picked two wickets while Khaleel Ahmed scalped one.

Two-time T20 world champions India are now one win away from securing an unassailable lead in the five-match series.

The fourth India vs Zimbabwe T20 match will be played on Saturday with the fifth scheduled for Sunday. All games in the five-match series are being played at the same venue.

IND vs ZIM 3rd T20 2024 brief scores: India 182/4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 66, Ruturaj Gaikwad 49; Sikandar Raza 2/24) beat Zimbabwe 159/6 in 20 overs (Dion Myers 65*; Washington Sundar 3/15, Avesh Khan 2/39) by 23 runs.