Harare, July 17 (IBNS) Team India carried its rich form from the ODIâs into the inaugural T20I match as the visitors defeated Zimbabwe by 54 runs and took a series lead of 1-0 here on Friday.
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Ajinkya Rahane was run out for four off the third ball of the innings but the foundations for victory appeared to be built by a second-wicket stand between Murali Vijay and Robin Uthappa.
But in the first T20 on Friday – after dropping all three 50-over One Day worldwide matches to an India team that was absent most of their big-name stars – Zimbabwe showed few signs that they will be able to overcome an India side that looked far more experienced despite putting five debutantes on the field.
Uthappa has dismissed that this is a “second string” side, insisting that India have a good bench strength.
Two overs later, he collected three fours off Chris Mpofu with raspy pulls off the front foot and a cheeky nudge behind short fine leg. Despite playing only two matches he emerged as India’s leading run-scorer in and was named Man of the Series.
Toss and team news: Zimbabwe won the toss and have opted to bat.
Opener Chamu Chibhabha struck a defiant sixty seven off fifty one balls, together with 9 boundaries.
Watch the Free Live Streaming and telecast of India vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T20 global at the Harare Sports Club (HSC) in Harare on Sunday. “I thi-nk we have a pool of 25 players, and all of us deserve to play for the country”, he said. They outplayed Zimbabwe in all departments of the game.
Rahane and Vijay scored at a fast clip and the onus will be on them once again to provide India a platform. While Pandey could not make a substantial contribution by getting out in the 16th over after scoring a run-a-ball 19, Uthappa made his presence felt with an unbeaten innings.
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Zimbabwe Squad: Elton Chigumbura (c), Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Regis Chakabva (wk), Chamu Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.
