ZIM vs IND 2024: Zimbabwe vs India, 2nd T20I - Who Said What?

It was too easy for team India in the end. After a remarkable win in the first T20I of the series, Zimbabwe were expected to show similar confidence in the second match but nothing went according to the plan for the Sikandar Raza-led side. They dismissed Shubman Gill early but what followed next was carnage. 

Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad dominated the Chevrons in the middle overs, smashing boundaries for fun. Sharma initially took some time to settle down but once he did, he became difficult to stop. The youngster eventually smashed 100 runs off 47 balls, which included seven boundaries and eight maximums. Gaikwad supported him well and took control after Sharma’s dismissal. 

The Pune-born cricketer made 77* runs off 47 deliveries to help India finish well. However, it was Rinku Singh who stole the show in the end. He had a point to prove and in the second T20I of the series, Rinku reigned supreme. The 26-year-old smashed 48* runs off 22 deliveries, helping the team in 234 runs.

When it came to the chase, Zimbabwe struggled. Mukesh Kumar picked up the wickets of Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett while Avesh Khan sent Dion Myers and Sikandar Raza back to the pavilion. Zimbabwe were on the back foot ever since and eventually lost the match by 100 runs.

1. Following the footsteps

Abhishek Sharma idolizes Yuvraj Singh, who’s also his mentor. The youngster has been making a lot of noise in domestic cricket but with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal present, he couldn’t break into the national team. After doing well in IPL 2024, the selectors decided to give him a chance in the Zimbabwe series and Sharma didn’t disappoint. He smashed a terrific century in his second international match and that shows the kind of talent he possesses.

Also Read - Twitter Reactions: Abhishek Sharma's maiden T20I ton sees India post humongous total against Zimbabwe

2. Ruins and Rise

Despite being one of the favourites to feature in the India team for the T20 World Cup, Rinku Singh was dropped for Shivam Dube. On his return, the swashbuckling batter failed to open his tally, which brought a lot of criticism on his way but Rinku shut them up with a knock of 48* runs off 22 balls. He is once again on the rise and it just might be difficult for anyone to stop him.

Losing skipper Sikandar Raza said:

The world champions will eventually play like world champions. Dropping catches today certainly hurt us today. I expected 200 on this wicket today but they got 30 runs more. Coming into this game, I thought it would be a close game but it wasn't to be, the top-order didn't play well. He has grown by leaps and bounds, he is very hungry and his graph will keep going up. It's a task we have been talking about since a long time, today we came out positive and played our shots.

Winning skipper Shubman Gill said:

Very happy, great to be back on the winning note back again. With the way Abhishek and Rutu batted, it was not easy especially in the powerplay, with the ball moving around. Yesrerday, it was more about not able to handle the pressure, it's a young side and it was theiir first international exposure. We have got three matches to go. It's always good to have more options rather than not having options.

POTM Abhishek Sharma said:

I think it was pretty much good performance by me, the defeat we had yesterday we didn't have it easy for us. I felt today it was my day and I made it count. I feel T20 is about momentum and I took it to the end. Special mention to the coach and team management, I always feel that as a youngster if it's your day, if you have to express yourself. We were talking after every ball and he said to me that you should take it on. I always believe in my ability, if there's in my arc and even if it's the first ball, I will go after it.