'IPL Talent Exposed Today' - Social media brutally trolls fresh face Indian team after shambolic defeat in 1st T20I against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe produced a fantastic bowling and fielding display, defeating India by 13 runs at the Harare Sports Club in the first T20I on Saturday, July 06.

Shubman Gill opted to field first after winning the toss in his first game as India captain. Mukesh Kumar got his team off to a fine start as he dismissed Innocent Kaia off the first ball of the second over. Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett played some delightful strokes and formed a 34-run partnership off 24 balls. However, they were dismissed in quick succession as the hosts slumped to 51/3 in the eighth over.

Dion Myers and Sikandar Raza stitched a 23-run stand in the hope of resurrecting the innings. However, once the stand was broken in the 12th over by Avesh Khan, the floodgates were well and truly opened. From 74/3 in the 13th over, Zimbabwe fell to 90/9 in the 16th as the Indian spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar ruled the roost.

It seemed as if Zimbabwe would be bowled out well before their designated quota of 20 overs. However, wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande showed a lot of fight as he scored an unbeaten 29 off 25 balls to take Zimbabwe to 115/9 in their 20 overs.

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Sikandar Raza's tactical masterclass floors India

Chasing a relatively low total on a decent track, India got off to a poor start as they lost debutant Abhishek Sharma for a four-ball duck in the first over. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh also fell inside the powerplay as India were reeling at 22/4. Things could have been worse inside the powerplay as Shubman was saved by the DRS in the sixth over.

Dhruv Jurel and Shubman took their time and added 21 runs off 29 balls for the fifth wicket. However, they were dismissed in consecutive overs as India were 47/6 in the 11th over. Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan hit a few boundaries, with Washington Sundar at the other end. However, at 86/9 in the 17th over, it was all up to the spin-bowling all-rounder to take India over the line.

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Sundar tried his best, but he couldn't find his timing too often during his knock of 27 off 34 balls. He was eventually dismissed by Tendai Chatara in the last over, as India were bowled out for 102. Raza was immaculate with his field placements and bowling changes during the second innings. He also bowled a fantastic spell, registering figures of 3/25 in four overs. Chatara also bagged a three-for, conceding just 16 in 3.5 overs.

Here's how X reacted to 1st T20I between IND and ZIM: