Yashasvi Jaiswal, a key player in India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, continued to impress in the series against Zimbabwe. In the penultimate clash, Jaiswal’s dazzling performance was instrumental in securing a comfortable victory over Sikandar Raza’s team on Saturday. This win came just a day after Shubman Gill and his squad decisively defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets, clinching an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. The stage was set for the fifth and final T20I, where both teams were eager to end the series on a high note.

Jaiswal’s explosive start in the first over of India’s innings was nothing short of spectacular. Facing Zimbabwe’s captain and spinner Sikandar Raza, Jaiswal launched the innings with a majestic six. Raza bowled a full toss, and Jaiswal capitalized on it, sending the ball soaring over deep square leg.

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Adding to Zimbabwe’s woes, Raza had overstepped on the first ball, granting India a free hit. Jaiswal seized this opportunity, hitting another six and racking up 13 runs from just one legal delivery. This incredible feat made Jaiswal the first player to score 12 runs off the first legal ball in a men’s T20I match.

.@ybj_19 started the final T20I of the Zimbabwe tour with a flourish 💥💥#SonySportsNetwork #ZIMvIND #TeamIndia | @BCCI pic.twitter.com/7dF3SR5Yg1

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 14, 2024

However, the excitement was short-lived. Despite Jaiswal’s early onslaught, Raza quickly redeemed himself in the same over. On the fourth ball, Raza bowled Jaiswal out, securing a crucial wicket for Zimbabwe and delivering a fiery send-off to the young Indian opener.

This dramatic turn of events occurred at the Harare Sports Club, the same venue where Jaiswal had previously scored a brilliant 93 off 53 balls, leading India to a ten-wicket victory in the fourth T20I.

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Following Jaiswal’s dismissal in the fifth T20I, India’s innings faced further setbacks. Abhishek Sharma, another aggressive batsman, fell for just 14 runs in the third over. The situation worsened when Blessing Muzarabani dismissed India’s captain, Shubman Gill, for 13 runs in the fourth over. This rapid loss of wickets left India struggling at 40-3 within the powerplay, putting them in a precarious position early in the match. Despite these challenges, the game remained open, with both teams fighting hard in this final contest of the series.