Twitter Reactions: Indian bowlers shine in second ODI to seal series against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's resistance went in vain as India claim the series with a routine victory.

By Chaitanya Prakash

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4 Min Read

Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel
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Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)

India completed another ODI series victory as they defeated Zimbabwe in the second match by five wickets to bag the series. The Indian team had a little stutter during their chase but in the end, got home comfortably with over 24 overs to spare as Sanju Samson finished the match with a maximum.

The Indian bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to another underwhelming total on a pitch that had a bit of spice as the hosts were bundled out for 161 runs on the board. KL Rahul, who returned from a lengthy injury layoff, promoted himself up the order in an attempt to get some much-needed playing time. But his move ended in a whimper as he was sent back to the hut for just a solitary run.

But the dismissal of the Indian skipper did not deter veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan, who blazed the Zimbabwe bowlers in a brisk cameo of 33 off 21 deliveries. Dhawan’s dismissal brought Ishan Kishan to the crease, but the southpaw failed to grab the opportunity as he was dismissed cheaply, and Shubhman Gill followed suit soon after him.

India were in a sticky situation in the middle, but the hosts’ low target meant that they were never under scoreboard pressure, and Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson made a strong statement for their place in the squad with a couple of solid innings, especially Samson who had taken a spectacular catch earlier in the match, stitching a half-century stand in quick time to guide India home.

Shardul Thakur makes the most of his opportunity grabbing three wickets for India

Earlier in the match, Zimbabwe were put into bat for the second game in a row by KL Rahul, and the hosts managed a sedate start to their innings. But just like the series opener, the Zimbabwe batting innings crumbled after a watchful start as the wicket of Takudzwanashe Kaitano triggered a collapse by the top order, losing four wickets for 11 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav then struck a killer blow by getting rid of the in-form Sikandar Raza and just when the hosts were starting to find some rhythm in the middle, Deepak Hooda’s golden arm provided the all-important wicket of Sean Williams (42 off 42 deliveries), who was looking set at the crease.

Zimbabwe’s hard-hitting batter Ryan Burl was looking to up the ante for his team but was left stranded at the other end as the Indian bowlers wrapped up the tail without much fuss. Shardul Thakur, who was a surprise inclusion for the match in place of last match’s hero Deepak Chahar, did his reputation no harm by snaffling up three wickets.

All the other Indian bowlers chipped in with a wicket apiece, with Prasidh Krishna producing one of the deliveries of the series so far as he squared up Wesley Madhevere with an unplayable delivery at the beginning of the innings.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the game

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