Team India concluded their innings at 167/6 in the fifth and final T20I against Zimbabwe at Harare on Sunday. Having already secured the series with a 3-1 lead, the young Indian squad aimed to cap off the series with a decisive 4-1 victory. The start of India’s innings was shaky, as they quickly found themselves at 40/3 within the powerplay.
The early dismissals put pressure on the middle order, but Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag orchestrated a crucial recovery. Sanju Samson, with a composed 58, and Parag, contributing 22, stabilized the innings, forging a vital 65-run partnership before Parag was dismissed.
As the game progressed, India’s lower-order batsmen, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh, stepped up to accelerate the scoring. Dube smashed a rapid 26 off 12 balls, while Rinku added 11 off 9.
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In a dramatic moment on the first ball of the final over, Rinku aimed for an ambitious shot over extra cover, but Sikandar Raza dropped a straightforward catch. This mishap led to a mix-up between the wickets. Dube had already left his crease for a single, but Rinku did not respond, leaving Dube stranded and resulting in an easy run-out. Dube’s frustration was palpable as he walked back, casting a cold stare at Rinku.
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Despite this hiccup, India managed to add 14 runs in the final over, reaching a respectable total of 167/6. This score was a testament to their resilience, recovering from a precarious 40/3 position thanks to Samson’s second T20I fifty. In the final two overs alone, India amassed 30 crucial runs, bolstering their total.
Rinku Singh’s performance in the 20th over has been notable throughout the series. He has scored 84 runs off just 28 balls in this phase, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 300, though he has been dismissed thrice. His impactful knock of 48 in the second T20I was instrumental in India’s imposing total of 234 against Zimbabwe.
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As Zimbabwe began their chase of 168, they faced an uphill battle. Mukesh Kumar struck early, taking two wickets within the first three overs, leaving Zimbabwe reeling. With the series already lost, the hosts struggled to find the momentum, their shoulders visibly slumped.
Historically, India has dominated Zimbabwe in T20Is, winning nine out of twelve encounters. Zimbabwe’s solitary victory in the first T20I briefly rattled the young Indian side, but the visitors bounced back impressively in the subsequent matches. Sikandar Raza, who was the Man of the Match in that initial win, could not maintain his form to inspire his team in the remaining games.
