Harare: India secured a commanding 4-1 series victory against Zimbabwe with a resounding 42-run win in the final T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 14. Led by Shubman Gill, India bounced back emphatically after losing the first match, dominating the series with four consecutive wins.
Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza opted to field after winning the toss in the final match. India faced early challenges, losing three wickets in the powerplay. However, Sanju Samson’s composed half-century (58 off 45 balls) and Shivam Dube’s aggressive 26 off 12 balls steered India to a competitive total of 167/6.
Samson’s innings was crucial in stabilizing India’s innings after the early setbacks, while Dube’s late onslaught provided the necessary impetus. His quickfire batting ensured India reached a defendable total against Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
In response, Zimbabwe struggled to build partnerships as Mukesh Kumar’s early breakthroughs and Shivam Dube’s effective bowling stifled their progress. Kumar’s precision and Dube’s timely wickets restricted Zimbabwe to 125 all out in 18.3 overs, securing a comprehensive victory for India.
The match began with fireworks from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who entertained with two early sixes before being dismissed attempting a third. Despite the early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, India’s bowlers maintained pressure, ultimately sealing the win.
Captain Shubman Gill praised his team’s resilience and adaptability throughout the series. “Losing the first match was a wake-up call, and the team responded brilliantly. Winning four matches in a row demonstrates the character and depth of our squad,” said Gill.