ZIM vs IND 2024: Top 10 Memes from 1st T20I

Fresh from T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, India toured Zimbabwe and played the first T20I of the five-match series at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Saturday, July 06. India's newly-appointed skipper Shubman Gill called it correctly at the toss and invited the Sikandar Raza-led side to bat first.

The decision reaped instant rewards, as Mukesh Kumar struck on his first ball in the second over, as the opening batter Innocent Kaia played onto the stumps off an inside-edge. Four overs later, Brian Bennett too followed suit, after a confident 22-run knock. At the end of the powerplay, the first innings scorecard read 40/2. During the middle overs, there were sedated but crucial contributions from Raza, Dion Myers, Wessly Madhevere, but the hosts had lost half their side on the last ball of the 12th over.

India's in-form bowler finished his spell with 4/13 including a couple of maiden overs, while Washington Sundar also scalped two, giving 11 runs in his four overs. The pace duo of Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar also took a wicket each, but Clive Madande played a vital knock, contributing 29 runs from just 25 balls, and also propelled the hosts to 115/9 after 20 overs.

When it came to the chase, debutant Abhishek Sharma stepped out alongside the Indian skipper. However, his debut didn't turn out to be fruitful, as the opener was dismissed for a 4-ball duck. At 3, Ruturaj Gaikwad looked in good touch, but handed a simple catch to Kaia off Blessing Muzarabani. Unlike Zimbabwe, the middle order of the Men in Blue succumbed to some brilliant bowling by Raza & Co.

Among the notable failures were Rinku Singh (0), Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Skipper Shubman tried to hold one end, but had to walk back after Raza bowled a stunner. At the fall of Gill's wicket for 31 off 29, India were reduced to 47/6 at the end of 10.2 overs.

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All the onus was now upon Washington Sundar to get the job done for the visiting side. He had only tail-enders batting along, but they too chipped in with handy runs. Avesh (16 off 12) and Bishnoi (9 off 8) made their way back, as the game was now more in Zimbabwe's favour, requiring just one wicket to win.

It all went down to the last over though, as the Indians needed 16 runs. Tendai Chatara had the opportunity to defend the target for the hosts, as the tourists were under added pressure. Giving away just two runs in the first four balls, Chatara bowled the fifth ball, getting Sundar caught inside the inner field, as the Men in Blue were bundled out for 102.

The win inflicted a great exuberance within the Zimbabwean huddle, as they beat the World Champions, after failing to even qualify for the recently concluded 20-team tournament. Subsequently, Sikandar Raza was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliance on the field and all-round performance against a giant side like India.

Read Here: Explained: Why does Indian jersey have only single star for 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe?

Meanwhile, the memes on internet flooded like anything after India's sudden collapse against a low-ranked side, right after their triumphant campaign against some of the best teams in the world.

Here are the funniest memes from Zimbabwe vs India, 1st T20I: