IND vs ZIM Highlights: Bowlers shine as Zimbabwe stun India by 13 runs in series opener

Sikandar Raza took 3-25 as Zimbabwe defeated a youthful India by 13 runs in the first T20 International at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, an early blow to the newly-crowned world champions in the five-game series.

India chose to field and restricted Zimbabwe to 115 for nine in their 20 overs but were always struggling in their reply and were bowled out for 102 with Pakistan-born off-spinner Raza taking the key wicket of touring captain Shubman Gill (31).

Leg-break bowler Ravi Bishnoi took 4-13 in his four overs as India stifled the Zimbabwean batters in their innings with Washington Sundar returning figures of 2-11.

Several of the home batters got starts but Clive Madande was the top scorer with an unbeaten 29 from 25 balls as Zimbabwe collapsed from 73-3 to 90-9 before a late innings flurry.

India made a dismal start to their reply as they slumped to 22-4 and never recovered. Only Gill and Sundar (27) managed an innings of substance.

The tourists have left several of their first-choice players at home for the tour. The victory is Zimbabwe’s third over India in their nine previous T20s, all coming in Harare, with the last in 2016.

105 vs West Indies - Port of Spain 2010
115 vs India - Harare 2024 *
117 vs Ireland - Dublin 2021
118 vs Pakistan - Harare 2021
124 vs Ireland - Bready 2021

116 Zimbabwe - Harare 2024 - Today
127 New Zealand - Nagpur 2016
131 South Africa - Nottingham 2009
146 Zimbabwe - Harare 2016
150 West Indies - Tarouba 2023

WHAT A GAME! ZIMBABWE EMERGE ON TOP IN HARARE! First defeat for India in T20Is in 2024. The crowd goes berserk at the stadium as the hosts beat India by 13 runs in a thriller. Wahington Sundar is dismissed off the penultimate ball as India fold for 102 in chase if 116.

Tendai Chatara now needs to just bowl two legal deliveries for a Zimbabwe win.

OUT! Skipper Raza knocks over Mukesh Kumar on the final ball of is spell. Zimbabwe one wicket away from a memorable win.

OUT! After getting hit for a couple of boundaries, Wellington Masakadza strikes for Zimbabawe. India are now 8 down as Avesh Khan falls for 16. Avesh is caught at long-off.

Washington Sundar11*
Avesh Khan 8*
Partnership: 14(13)
Sikandar Raza 2/23

India need another 41 runs off 30 balls @ 8.2 RPO

FOUR! Luke Jongwe goes full but drifts into Avesh Khan's pads. Avesh read it early and swiped the ball between mid-wicket and mid-on. Got the meaty part of the bat as the ball races to the deep fence. IND 68/7 in 13.5 overs

OUT! An irresponsible shot from Ravi Bishnoi as gets trapped in front for 9. A straight seam-up ball from Sikandar Raza and Ravi came down, looking to push the ball on the on side. He misses and gets trapped right in front. The on-field umpire raised his finger instantly. Bishnoi reviewed it but it is Three Reds. India now 7 down for 61 in 116 chase.

0 0 0 0 1 0 - Luke Jongwe bowls a solid one-run over as Zimbabwe bowlers continue to pressure on India. The required rate has crept upto 7.75 RPO. Washingson Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi continue to fight for India in this chase of 116. Sikandar Raza will continue from the other end for Zimbabwe. IND 54/6 in 12 overs

OUT! Absolute madness in Harare. Zimbabwe are all over India in this series opener. India are now 6 down for 47 in 116 chase. A horrendous sow from the India batters and it has been a superb performance from the hosts. Skipper Sikandar Raza brings himself into the attack and cleans up India skipper Shubman Gill with a ripper. Gill's resistance ends on 31. IND 47/6 in 10.2 overs

OUT! Luke Jongwe comes into the attack and straightaway breaks the Shubman Gill-Dhruv Jurel stand. India are now 5 down in this chase of 115 as Gill fights the lone battle. Wickets are tumbling and India are now under some serious pressure. A pace-off full ball outside off from Jongwe and it stuck on the surface. Jurel went for the drive but ended up chipping it to Madhevere at short covers. Jurel perishes for 7. IND 43/5 in 9.5 overs

1 0 1 0 0 0 - As a tight two-run over from Wellington Masakadza comes to an end, the required rate for India has crept upto 7.27 RPO. Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel have added 14 off 24 balls as both look to steady this India chase. Luke Jongwe now comes into the attack for Zimbabwe. IND 36/4 in 9 overs

FOUR! A much-needed boundary comes India's way. Blessing Muzarabani bowls a back of length delivery around off and Shubman Gill read it early. He paddles it across on the on side as the ball races to the deep backward square leg fence. IND 34/4 in 7.3 overs

0 0 0 0 0 0 - Tendai Chatara bowls a perfect maiden as Zimbabwe continue to build pressure on young India batters. Amid the fall of four wickets in powerplay, skipper Shubman Gill and debutant Dhruv Jurel look to steady this India chase of 116. Blessing Muzarabani to continue from the other end for the hosts. IND 28/4 in 7 overs

Shubman Gill 19*
Dhruv Jurel 0*
Tendai Chatara 2/14
Brian Bennett 1/0
Blessing Muzarabani 1/10

India need another 88 runs off 84 balls @ 6.29 RPO

OUT! Tendai Chatara grabs his second wicket in the over as Rinku Singh falls for a two-ball duck. Another poor shot from an India batter and he pays the price for it. A back of length ball from Chatara and Rinku went for the pull. Gets the top edge as the ball shoots straight up. Keeper Brian Bennett grabs an easy catch as Rinku walks back. IND 22/4 in 5 overs