Zimbabwe v India, 3rd T20I: Memorable moments of the day

It was a brave effort by the Zimbabweans but it was not enough to win them their first T20I series as they went down fighting against and lost the 3rd T20I by 3 runs at the Harare Sports Club. It was a thriller. India, batting first for the first time in their tour, could do anything extraordinary and were able to post a simple target of 139 runs for the host to chase.

The Indians found it really difficult scoring runs freely against disciplined bowling from Donald Tiripano and Co. In reply, the Zimbabweans got off to a smooth start. Vusi Sibanda and Peter Moor played wonderful knocks. But, the Indian bowlers kept striking regularly to keep the game in balance before eventually edging out the opposition by three runs to pocket the series 2-1.

After a thumping comeback from a stunning loss, India had their eyes on giving a perfect ending to the African safari by adding another series win to their kitty.

Openers KL Rahul and Mandeep Sigh, who had ensured a smooth ride in the previous game which India won comfortably by 10 wickets, could not replicate similar performance and were dismissed for insignificant scores.

How did the Indian players fare in the series? – Zimbabwe v India T20I series: India Player Ratings

With India’s inning faltering, Kedar Jadhav came to the rescue and stood in the middle like a rock. The Maharastra wicket keeper batsman struck a strokeful 58 off just 42 balls to save India from the ending up in an embarrassing situation.

Despite Jadhav’s solidity, the Indians were limping in the middle overs. The fall of Ambati Rayudu in the 13th over saw the trusted MS Dhoni come into the middle. Dhoni took the responsibility of pushing the run rate but in this quest lost his wicket. In the 17th over, he played on a full delivery from Donald Tirpano onto the stumps with the bails flying and one of it finding its way through his grills and hitting him in the eye.

Despite floundering a couple of chances, the Zimbabwean bowler simply denied any free chances to the Indian batsman. Dhoni and Jadhav’s wickets were bonus ones for them. Indians had only 122 at the board by the end of the 19th over. The last needed a final thrust. And, that thrust was provided by Axar Patel who struck valuable 16 runs off the last over to help India finish at a functional total of 138/6.

Indians started off well with Barinder Sran snapping Chamu Chibhabha early. However, the dangerous pair of Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda then began counter-attacking and moving rapidly towards the target. Fortunately, just when it looked the hosts were running away with the match, Patel intervened and disrupted the flow of the Zimbabweans with the wicket of Masakadza in the 9th over. This was a much-needed breakthrough.

Stats and records – Zimbabwe v India 3rd T20I – Statistical Highlights

Peter Moor yet again looked in great touch. The right-hander played entered the chase at a crucial moment. The Zimbabweans were pushed to the backfoot after the fiery Sibanda lost his wicket. However, Peter Moor tried to hold things together immediately thereafter with his quickfire 26 runs off 21 balls.

Barinder Sran was given the final over of the match with the series on the line. Zimbabwe were sitting nervously at 118 for 5 and required 21 to clinch a historic series win. Sran came from around the wicket as usual. His ball to Timycen Maruma was slogged over midwicket for six. The second ball, now from over the wicket was a wide. Another misdirected yorker followed which was slapped for four. The equation now boiled down to nine off five. Sran was under pressure but, he did not crack and executed five wide yorkers to eventually defend the target.

The Indians celebrate the series win. It was an award’s galore in the post-match ceremony. The series saw many young names from both the teams give spectacular performances.