Zimbabwe kept India to a par total of 167 despite a half-century from Sanju Samson and took the upper hand in the chase after a strong powerplay. However, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube struck back with the ball to extinguish any chance of a Zimbabwe victory. India sealed a 42-run win to complete a splendid series turnaround in Harare after losing the opening fixture. Sunday’s victory marked India’s fourth consecutive win, all achieved comfortably.
After Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss for the first time all series, he elected to field. Yashasvi Jaiswal started with two sixes off the first two balls of the match, including one off a Raza no-ball, but was bowled in the first over. Abhishek Sharma’s brief stay ended when Blessing Muzarabani got him caught behind, and Shubman Gill followed soon after, falling to a Richard Ngarava short ball. This left India at 44 for 3 after the powerplay.
Samson, promoted to No. 4 in Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence, and No. 5 Riyan Parag then batted together for 56 balls. Despite adding only 65 runs for the fourth wicket, they prevented a potential collapse. Parag scored 22 off 24 balls before falling to legspinner Brandon Mavuta while trying to accelerate the scoring.
Samson capitalized on the time he took to get going. Initially on 17 off 18 balls, he accelerated by hitting four sixes and a four, eventually scoring 58 off 45 balls before being dismissed in the deep in the 18th over. With 15 balls remaining and India at 135 for 3, Dube and Rinku Singh propelled India to a total above 160. Dube’s 12-ball 26 included 4, 6, 4 off Ngarava in the 19th over, and Singh added a six in the 20th. Muzarabani was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, taking 2 for 19 in his four overs.
Mukesh struck early in Zimbabwe’s chase, dismissing Wessly Madhevere for a duck and later Brian Bennett for 10, leaving the hosts at 15 for 2 in the third over. Mukesh could have had a third wicket but overstepped when he bowled Tadiwanashe Marumani. Marumani and Dion Myers then attacked seamer Tushar Deshpande and wristspinner Ravi Bishnoi, targeting Bishnoi for a 16-run over in the sixth.
Washington Sundar’s introduction after the powerplay changed the momentum. He struck in his second over, dismissing Marumani lbw, which slowed Zimbabwe’s chase. Bishnoi and Sundar controlled proceedings, and Dube chipped in with crucial wickets in the 13th and 15th overs, dismissing Myers and Johnathan Campbell. Dube also ran out Raza with a direct hit, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 90 for 6.
Dube finished with 2 for 25, while Abhishek and Deshpande also took a wicket each as Zimbabwe’s chase faltered. Faraz Akram’s entertaining 27 off 13 balls, which included two fours and two sixes, ended when he was caught behind off Mukesh in the 19th over. Mukesh then dismissed No. 11 Ngarava with a full, fast delivery, finishing with his best T20I figures of 4 for 22.
Dube was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring 26 off 12 balls and taking 2 for 25. Washington Sundar earned the Player of the Series award for his eight wickets at an average of 11.62 and an economy rate of 5.16.
