Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe shock India with a 2-run victory

The first T20 International between India and Zimbabwe turned out to be a thrilling encounter. Captain MS Dhoni won the toss as India elected to field first. India had Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Mandeep Singh coming in from the team that played the last ODI.

Batting first, Zimbabwe showed better approach than the One Dayers as they raced their way to 91/2 in 12 overs. They again lost way and were reduced to 111/5 before Elton Chigumbura’s stormy innings of 54 runs from 26 balls which included 7 sixes took Zimbabwe to an above par total.

The hosts ended up with a total of 170/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Bumrah again was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up a couple of wickets while Axar Patel also got one wicket along with being economical with the ball.

On the other hand, the man of the ODI series, KL Rahul got out for a golden duck on his T20 debut. While India failed to build partnerships, Manish Pandey did well for a brilliant 48 from 35 balls before getting out to a loose shot. India lost way from there as Zimbabwe bowled well in the end while Dhoni failed to finish it for India.

How did the match pan out? – Zim v Ind 1st T20I Review: India falter against the free-spirited Zimbabweans

In the end, Zimbabwe pulled off a 2-run victory over India in a humdinger of a contest and brought some life to the tour which had so far been a bore. Muzarabani and Chibhabha got a couple of wickets but it was Madziva who was the star as he successfully defended 7 in the last over.

Twitter kept everyone entertained with some splendid tweets throughout the India-Zim game. Right from lauding Chigumbara to trolling Rishi Dhawan and Unadkat, right from lauding Pandey to trolling Indian batting, here are some of the Twitter reactions that took place during the course of the game:

Joyous scenes in Harare. Zimbabwe have actually now won five of their last six T20s….and their last two against India. #ZIMvIND

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) June 18, 2016

Bhai @imVkohli, jaldi flight book kar Zimbabwe ke liye. #ZimvInd

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) June 18, 2016

Big and richly deserved win for Zim. Kept their nerve in a taut climax. India's run chase haphazard. Defeat will sting Dhoni bad and long

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 18, 2016

Played Zim. Waiting to see you guys in smaller formats, like Two2 cricket.#ZIMvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 18, 2016

Two minutes silence for people who had belief in Gurkeerat and Rishi when they were picked for Australia tour.

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 18, 2016

I was alive when Dhoni could not finish off a chase off last ball.

— Psycho (@i_Psycho) June 18, 2016

They deserve those celebrations. Superb last over. The #ZIMvIND tour is finally underway.

— jigar mehta (@jigsactin) June 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/744173286628560896

Pandey/Dhoni should see team through I think, but India's faltering batting will. Ot have pleased the captain

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 18, 2016

Looks like it'll be down to Dhoni and Axar Patel again – only Axar won't be bowling this time #ZIMvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 18, 2016

The VIVO box or Pepsi VIP box in the #IPL had more crowd than the ground here.#ZIMvIND

— TheGoanPatiala (@TheGoanPatiala) June 18, 2016

India's new breed of IPL superstars finding it a touch harder playing in a proper T20 match… #zimvind

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) June 18, 2016

Whether it's juniors or seniors the Indian batsmen will always trouble Dhoni instead of doing the job themselves #ZIMvIND

— TheGoanPatiala (@TheGoanPatiala) June 18, 2016

So Zimbabwe score more in the T20 batting first than they did in any of the ODIs #ZIMvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 18, 2016

Dhoni picked Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan just to make sure he gets to bat in this game. #ZimvInd

— cricBC (@cricBC) June 18, 2016

With players like Williams, Ervine, Raza and Cremer forming the core, Zim needs to perform a lot better.

— Alagappan Vijaykumar (@IndianMourinho) June 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/744139313764392960

Most runs conceded by Indians on T20I debut:

57 – Joginder Sharma
52 – Ashish Nehra
44 – Sreenath Aravind
42 – RISHI DHAWAN#ZIMvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 18, 2016

Rishi Dhawan is the 'Stuart Binny' of poor people. #ZIMvIND

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) June 18, 2016

Dhoni intentionally included bowlers like Dhawan & Unadkat in playing XI, so that Dhoni can get a chance to bat in 2nd inning.#IndvZim

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) June 18, 2016

If Zimbabwe had treated each 50 over game like a 20 over game then perhaps they would have posted higher totals. #zimvind

— cricBC (@cricBC) June 18, 2016

I'd peg Rishi Dhawan as someone who could go for seven sixes in an over.#ZIMvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 18, 2016

So a fan is spotted in the crowd holding a banner reading "Virat, we miss you".

Nobody can have enough of this guy. Such love.#ZIMvIND

— Manya ? (@CSKian716) June 18, 2016

If Zimbabwe Madziva gets chance to play & if he bowls to Dhoni, then it will
Madziva to Dad Ziva

— Merin Kumar (@merin_kumar) June 13, 2016