Zim v Ind 1st T20I Review: India falter against the free-spirited Zimbabweans

The hosts, Zimbabwe, had their task cut out ahead of their first T20 clash against the visitors India. Earlier in the tour, India had put on dominating performances in the ODI series and had thumped the Africans 3-0. The T20Is were thus the best bet for the hosts to show resilience against the favoured Indians.

It was a spirited batting display by Zimbabwe that saw them post a huge total on the board. And later they saw themselves pay for the indiscipline on the field and were plagued by the injury to their wicketkeeper. However, they held their nerves till the end to eke out a close win.

Having won the toss, India opted to field first. Zimbabwean openers Chamu Chibhabha and Hamilton Masakadza played free flowing stroked in the powerplay to give a decent start to the Zimbabwean team. They took some special liking to the Indian pacers Jaydev Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan, the former being the worst sufferer on the occasion.

It was down to the experienced campaigner Jasprit Bumrah, who got the big fish in the form of Masakadza in the 5th over. The veteran Zimbabwean scored 25 off just 15 balls with 3 sixes to his name. An over later, Dhawan got through the defences of Chibhabha to dismiss him on 20 (19), to get the free spirited start by Zimbabwe to a sudden halt.

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Bad news followed in for the hosts as their middle order batsman Richmond Mutambami completely misread an incoming ball by Unadkat and was hit in the midriff, following which he had to be helped out of the park without scoring a run. Sikandar Raza and Malcolm Waller then steadied the ship for the home team as they paraded along to forge a handy partnership for the 3rd wicket.

However, the two fell in quick succession – in the space of 3 balls. While Waller (30 off 21) lost his wooden work to Yuzvendra Chahal in the 13th over, Raza was involved in a run out on 20 in the very next over. Former skipper Elton Chigumbura was at the crease with the scorecard reading 98/4 in 13.1 overs. Chigumbura then put on a brilliant display of sheer power hitting as he singlehandedly rallied on until the 20th over.

With virtually no support from the other end, the all-rounder took all on himself to clobber the Indian bowling in the death overs. He brought up his half-century in just 24 balls. He ended up unbeaten on 54 off just 26 balls with 7 towering maximums to his name. Bumrah, who had given away just 10 runs in his first 3 overs, was taken away for 14 in the last over of the innings. Chigumbura’s herculean efforts saw Zimbabwe post an above par score of 170/6 in their stipulated 20 overs.

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The run chase wasn’t very daunting; however, a shaky start by India made the equation balance out in either team’s favour. KL Rahul was dismissed on the very first ball of the chase by Donald Tiripano. His opening partner, Mandeep Singh, then eased out the pressure with some good strokeplay along with Ambati Rayudu. The duo put on 44 runs in 34 balls for the 2nd wicket before Rayudu (19) was cleaned up by Chamu Chibhabha in the last over of the powerplay.

Manish Pandey was the new man in at the crease. Mandeep Singh’s resistance came to an end in the 8th over when he was caught by Mutambodzi off the bowling of Chibhabha on 31(27). Kedar Jadhav joined Manish Pandey and a string of free flowing shots came to the fore. Kedar Jadhav hit a six and a four in his cameo of 13-ball 19 before being castled by T Muzarabani. His departure saw MS Dhoni walk to the crease for the first time on the tour.

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Manish Pandey, on the other hand, looked in an ominous touch as he hit 3 maximums into the stand. Dhoni and Pandey played a steady hand to take India close to the target. Pandey was dismissed in the 18th over by Muzarabani as he attempted to clear long on but ended up giving a catch to the deep cover fielder. His knock of 48 came in just 34 balls with 3 sixes and a four. In walked Axar Patel and did what he has been doing all summer. He launched into the stands straightaway to ease out the equation for India.

With 21 needed off the last 2 overs, India fancied their chances with skipper MSD at the crease. Donald Tiripano had the ball in the penultimate over. Axar Patel hit a boundary and a six as India picked up 13 runs from the 19th over. Needing 8 off 6, Neville Madziva came into bowl. Twist in the story followed as Axar’s 9-ball 18 ended as he was caught at long on to get Rishi Dhawan at the crease. Needing 4 off the last ball, it was the moment of truth for MS Dhoni yet again.

But the game showed that it was a cruel sport and one cannot be the hero every day. MS could manage just a single as Zimbabwe erupted in joy as they eked out a 2-run victory.

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe: 170/6 in 20 overs (Chigumbura 54*, Bumrah 2/24)

India: 168/6 in 20 overs (Pandey 48, Chibhabha 2/13)