Awards galore at the conclusion of the Zimbabwe v India T20I series

India held their nerve in an encounter where stakes were high to end the high voltage T20 series on a winning note, lifting the trophy 2-1. The last of the three T20Is was a cliffhanger but more importantly, India’s 2016 tour of Zimbabwe will always be remembered for the new players who showcased their talent on international stage. From Mandeep Singh to Barinder Sran, India found new heroes in all departments and Zimbabwe too, with a spirited effort in the T20Is, rewarded the viewers with a highly entertaining series. Let us see how these young stars who were awarded for their brilliant displays after the 3rd T20I.

Best Catch of the Match – Jasprit Bumrah

You can never keep this man out of the game. After his iconic drop of Tamim Iqbal in the all-important World T20 game, Bumrah came up with a valiant fielding effort to silent his critics. Displaying extraordinary flexibility, Bumrah, fielding at short third man, jumped his leap to perfection and safely pouched the dangerous Malcolm Waller to reduce Zimbabwe to 104/5.

Player of the Match – T Maruma

With the top five players back in the hut, Zimbabwe found themselves in hot waters with 35 needed off 17 balls. It was when Timycen Maruma upped the ante and injected life into a lost cause, smashing two sixes and a four in the space of 5 balls against the best Indian bowlers of the series. Though he failed to get Zimbabwe across the line, Mavuma certainly deserved the Player of the Match award for his spirited effort to add with the sharp catch of in-form Mandeep Singh.

Man of the Match – Kedar Jadhav

Jadhav stood out in the most important game of the series when all of his comrades struggled to get going on a sticky wicket. The Maharashtra batsman displayed exceptional patience dealing with the kind of tricky situation he came out to bat in. Once he got used to the pace of the wicket, Jadhav punished the hosts and helped India get a respectable total with his fifty.

Stats and records – Zimbabwe v India 3rd T20I – Statistical Highlights

Fastest Player- E Chigumbura

In the first T20I, Zimbabwe were off to a decent start but started falling back slowly. The Indian bowlers were on top at one point but then all off a sudden, Elton Chigumbura exploded with 7 towering sixes. He was severely harsh on Yuzvendra Chahal but punished Bumrah and Unadkat with equal disdain. Chigumbura brought up a well deserved fifty off just 25 balls and was named the Fastest Player of the tournament for his innings.

Most sixes award – E Chigumbura

Chigumbura hit as many as seven sixes in his knock of 54 against India in the opening game and had the most number of sixes by a batsman in the three-match series.

Stylish player- P Moor

It was Peter Moor’s 26 that gave Zimbabwe the push in the middle overs after the visitors were piling on the pressure grabbing a few quick wickets. He took on the Indian spinners and was especially severe against Yuzvendra Chahal the leggie who he carted for three sixes in his knock, though Chahal had the last laugh getting him out on the last ball of his spell.

Player of the Series – Mandeep Singh

With 87 runs from 3 games, Mandeep was the top scorer of the series at a healthy average of 43.50, including an eye pleasing unbeaten fifty in the 2nd T20I. Coming off from an injury, Mandeep looked fresh and confident and displayed the kind of form which got him into the national squad.

Also check out – Zimbabwe v India, 3rd T20I: India Player Ratings

Man of the Series – Barinder Sran

When Barinder Sran finally got the opportunity to feature in the eleven, he was spot on with his line, length and speed. Sran scalped 6 wickets from 2 matches, including a Man of the Match 4/10 on debut. Sran shouldered death bowling responsibility with Jasprit Bumrah and finished off the 3rd T20I which was a cliffhanger, helping India lift the trophy 2-1.