Fans of Sanju Samson were overjoyed on Sunday, July 14, as their star player finally got a chance to showcase his batting prowess in the fifth and final T20I against Zimbabwe. Samson delivered a spectacular performance, including a massive 110-meter six straight down the ground, which sent the ball soaring over the roof of the stadium and out of the park. This impressive shot highlighted his immense talent and thrilled the audience.
India faced early setbacks with the quick dismissals of their skipper Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma. Samson stepped in at number 4 and played a crucial knock to steady the innings. He formed a vital 65-run partnership with Riyan Parag, helping India recover from their early losses and get back into the game.
300+1 𝘴𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘛20𝘴 👏
Samson deposits two 6️⃣s to add a dozen runs to #NewTeamIndia’s total 🙌
Watch #ZIMvIND LIVE on #SonyLIV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wakEG5HMMy
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) July 14, 2024
The match saw Sikandar Raza leading Zimbabwe, who won the toss and chose to field first at the Harare Sports Club. This decision came after India had already secured a series victory with three consecutive wins following an initial defeat by 13 runs in the first game. India’s dominant form, including a comprehensive 10-wicket win in the previous match, made them the favourites going into the final game.
WATCH – Yashasvi Jaiswal Creates Record With Sixes Off The First Ball Of The Match
Despite their initial triumph, Zimbabwe struggled to maintain their momentum throughout the series. The hosts were eager to end on a positive note by winning the final match and giving their fans something to cheer about.
At the toss, Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza explained his decision to bowl first, noting that the pitch at the Harare Sports Club improved as the game progressed. “We are gonna have a bowl first. The wicket did get better. They will get better when we bat second. The motivation, confidence, and skillset are there. Chatara has been rested,” Sikandar Raza stated.
WATCH – Sikandar Raza’s Toss Antics Steal The Show In Final T20I Against India
India’s skipper Shubman Gill, while discussing the team’s strategy, mentioned that Riyan Parag and Mukesh Kumar were included in the playing eleven. “We were looking to bat first anyway. Our spinners have bowled well, and the fast bowlers have been economical. The players have been hungry. It’s not easy to play back-to-back matches. A couple of changes: Mukesh Kumar and Parag come in,” Gill said.
With both teams aiming to conclude the series on a high, the final T20I promised to be an exciting contest, showcasing the talents and resilience of players like Sanju Samson and the strategies of their respective captains.
