Zimbabwe vs India 1st-T20I Results

And with that, we wrap up this first T20I! India failed to chase the target that was below run-a-ball. But it was this Zimbabwean side that fought valiantly till the end. And as they say, cricket is a good old funny game, this one zigzagged through and through. It ended up as a sure-shot blockbuster. Zimbabwe go up 1-0 in this 5-match T20I series. It's a quick turnaround then as the 2nd T20I will be played in less than a span of 24 hours or so and will be played on 7th July, Sunday. The first ball will be bowled at 4.30 pm IST (11 am GMT). Till then, take care and cheers!

The Zimbabwean skipper, Sikandar Raza is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round brilliance. He says that he feels really happy about the win but need to take one game at a time. Adds that they will enjoy this victory but the series is not over yet. Lauds the bowlers of both sides for the way they bowled. Mentions that the surface was sticky and there was turn on offer as well. Says that he is really happy that the bowlers stuck to the plans. Further says that the catching and ground fielding was amazing. States it with the crowd support, it felt like they were playing with 12 guys.

Shubman Gill, the captain of India says that they bowled pretty well. Also mentions they let themselves down in the fielding department. Adds there wasn't much pressure on their shoulders but things really didn't work for them with the bat. Says halfway down the stage they lost half their side and reckons had he stayed in the middle for long, things could have been different. Appreciates the way Washington Sundar batted out. Ends by saying overall, they didn't collectively play well as a group.

Clive Madande is in for a chat. He says that he just wanted to bat through and tried to get as many as he could. Adds that he tried to protect his partner and ended up getting 115 which was a decent total on this wicket. Shares that he told Chatara to keep it simple and tried to let him play just 2 balls in an over. Ends by saying that the talk at the halfway mark was to give it all no matter what.

Time for the post-match presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, India invited the hosts to have a go with the bat first. Zimbabwe were dented really badly by the Indian spinners. Ravi Bishnoi ran through their batting and finished with his career-best figures including a sensational 4-fer. He was partnered pretty well by Washington Sundar who also troubled the batters and picked a two-wicket haul. None of the Zimbabwean batters actually tried to stabilize the innings and threw their wickets away, and of course, were outfoxed by the Indian spin duo. Zimbabwe, however, crossed the triple figures thanks to Clive Madande's handy cameo of 29 that came towards the backend. In their defence, Zimbabwe executed a near-perfect fightback, barring a few moments of hiccups and didn't let India go through.

The Zimbabwean bowlers used the variations perfectly and didn't let any Indian batter be at ease. Sikandar Raza only compounded the pressure further and got a couple of scalps to his name. But that partnership between Avesh and Sundar surely got their heartbeats on again but Raza got the better of him in the end. Then came another turnaround as Luke Jongwe bowled a very poor over and conceded 12 runs in the 18th over. But those last two overs from Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara respectively, really choked down the defending champions.

Talk about a crazy turnaround! Zimbabwe was staring at a tough job, trying to defend a tiny score. But man, did they deliver or what? Chatara and Muzarabani came out swinging, knocking over India's big guns before they could even get going. Just like that, Zimbabwe flipped the script in those first few overs. Suddenly, a game that looked like a snoozefest turned into a real nail-biter. Luke Jongwe around the halfway mark, broke a brewing partnership by removing Jurel.

Shubman Gill was the sole exception who appeared at ease up top. The dismissal of the debutant Abhishek Sharma set off a chain reaction, leading to a rapid loss of three more wickets in short order. India was desperate for someone to step up and stop the bleeding. Entered a confident-looking debutant Dhruv Jurel. He failed to have any sort of impact. Meanwhile, Gill was holding down the fort like a champ, but even he couldn't last forever. Just when you thought he might save the day he got out for 31. As this game was a bag full of surprises, it was the stand between Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan that kind of brought back the hopes. But Khan couldn't dispatch that juicy full toss into the stands and was gone as well. However, India's last hope, Washington Sundar, held onto his nerves and counterpunched strongly like a lone warrior. He struck a few lusty blows that ascended the hopes back. But in the end, those dots towards the backend proved and cost India dearly.

THE REIGNING T20 WORLD CHAMPIONS ARE ROCKED, SHELL-SHOCKED! Zimbabwe script a history and the Harare Sports Club echoes with celebrations of the glory of the home side. Aren't you entertained? This game had all our nerves jangling and heartbeats pounding that could defeat any stethoscope. India's batting lineup crumbled early, with wickets falling in quick succession. The unpredictable bounce of the pitch seemed to trouble most batters. But credit to Zimbabwe, they bowled really well.

Tendai Chatara to Washington Sundar, OUT! c Blessing Muzarabani b Tendai Chatara.OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Zimbabwe script a famous win, upstaging the reigning T20 champions! Tendai Chatara bends his back and directs a good bumper, aimed at the batter, Washington Sundar goes for the pull but he is tucked up for room and the ball gets big on him too. Gets a top edge that goes in the air and only as far as backward square leg. Blessing Muzarabani from short fine leg, runs to his right and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through before diving full-length to take a brilliant catch. The ball stays in his grasp even as his elbow hits the turf. The crowd are jubilant as are Sikandar Raza and his men. Zimbabwe win by 13 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series!

Tendai Chatara to Washington Sundar, No run.That should do it for Zimbabwe! Tendai Chatara now has to ensure that he does not overstep or bowl a wide here. Length delivery, going across the batter, on off, Washington Sundar stays deep in the crease but can only hit it along the ground to long off. The crowd erupts but Sikandar Raza signals to his players to calm down as the game is not over yet.

Tendai Chatara to Washington Sundar, No run.Johnathan Campbell, you beauty! Saves two for his side. Oh no, hang on. Washington Sundar did not run, so even better for Zimbabwe. A dot and it leaves India needing 14 runs now off the last 3 balls. Chatara offers width, on a length, outside off, Washington Sundar clears his front leg and smacks it hard to the left of deep cover where Johnathan Campbell springs to his left and dives to cut it off.

Tendai Chatara to Washington Sundar, 2 runs.A good effort in the deep by Blessing Muzarabani to keep it down to two. Chatara is lucky to get away with it as this is short and too straight, around the hips, Washington Sundar gets inside the line but gets this one high on the bat. Gets enough bat on it to clear short fine leg. Muzarabani gives it a chase and slides to save a couple of runs for his side.

Tendai Chatara to Washington Sundar, No run.A dot. Good start to the over for Zimbabwe. Chatara angles it across the batter, on a short of a good length, outside off, Washington Sundar clears his front leg to access the off side but Sundar ends up chopping it down on the deck.

Who bowls the final over? Surely, it is going to be Tendai Chatara, as he should! And, he will! India needs 16 off the finale over. Will Washington Sundar do the needful for India and pull off a miracle? Let's find out...

Blessing Muzarabani to Khaleel Ahmed, No run.Watchfully left alone by Khaleel. Muzarabani digs it in short but the line is outside off, Khaleel Ahmed sways away from the line of the ball and sees the ball nestle into the gloves of the keeper. Right then, we are going down to the final over with India needing 16 runs.

Blessing Muzarabani to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Sundar crosses over now, leaving Khaleel Ahmed to face one ball in this over. Muzarabani dishes it out on a hard length, outside off, Washington Sundar flays at the delivery and gets an outside edge that goes down to deep third for one. India need 16 runs off the last 7 balls.

Blessing Muzarabani to Washington Sundar, No run.Hit hard but straight to the man in the deep. Short and wide on off, Washington Sundar makes room and stands tall to crack the cut to deep point and refuses the single yet again.

Blessing Muzarabani to Washington Sundar, No run.Delivers it on a length, going across, on off, Washington Sundar clears his front leg for a hack across the line but mishits it down to long on. No single taken again.

Blessing Muzarabani to Washington Sundar, No run.Lands it on a back of a length, over middle, Washington Sundar hangs back and steers it down to deep third. Sundar declines the single.

Blessing Muzarabani to Washington Sundar, Wide!WIDE! This is pitched by Muzarabani but it goes beyond the wide guideline on off.

Blessing Muzarabani to Washington Sundar, No run.Beaten! Bangs it on a hard length does Muzarabani, outside off, Washington Sundar throws his hands at the delivery but fails to connect.

Who bowls the penultimate over now? Will it be Tendai Chatara? Will it be Blessing Muzarabani? It is Blessing Muzarabani (3-0-15-1) into the attack now.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, 1 run.And he succeeds in doing so. Fuller and at pace, on off, Washington Sundar extends his hands to drive it past cover but gets an inside edge that rolls to deep backward square leg for a single. 12 runs off the over, India are still alive in the game, needing 18 runs off the last 2 overs.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, Four!FOUR! Poor choice of delivery by Jongwe and it gets the treatment. With a short fine leg in place, Jongwe bowls the slower but the line is down leg, on a back of a length, Washington Sundar gets inside the line and pulls it up and over short fine leg for a boundary. Sundar will be looking to retain the strike now with a single off the last ball.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, Wide!WIDE! Goes searching for the wide yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, beyond the tramline on off.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, Six!SIX! BANG! Picked the bones out of that! Slower and into the wicket, sits up nicely for Washington Sundar who sets up a good base for himself and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.On a shortish length, on middle, Washington Sundar pulls it aerially but well in front of deep mid-wicket. Refuses the single again does Sundar.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.Into the wicket goes Jongwe, slower as well, Washington Sundar does not get any timing on the pull and hits it down to long on. No single taken.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.Goes full and on off, Washington Sundar pushes it out from the crease to cover.

Khaleel Ahmed is the last man in for India.

Sikandar Raza to Mukesh Kumar, OUT! b Sikandar Raza.OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Sikandar Raza strikes with the last ball of his spell! Zimbabwe on the cusp of a famous win. The crowd at the Harare Sports Club goes wild. Raza serves the off-break now, on a nagging length, on off, Mukesh Kumar is neither forward nor back and plays for the ball going straight on. The ball spins in after pitching and Mukesh ends up leaving a big gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks past the inside edge to rattle into the off stump.

Sikandar Raza to Mukesh Kumar, No run.Is that out? Has Mukesh Kumar dragged his foot outside the crease? The keeper seems confident. This spins away from the right-hander, full and outside off, Mukesh Kumar gets on the front foot to keep it out but the ball goes the other way and beats the bat. The keeper is quick to whip the bails off and the third umpire is called into action. However, the replays show that at no point did Mukesh drag his foot out and it was grounded all the way through inside the crease.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Takes the single now does Sundar! Slanting in, at the stumps, on middle and leg, Washington Sundar knocks it down to long on and crosses over.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, No run.Keeps it full and outside off, Washington Sundar leans on it and drives it square to deep point but refuses the single.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, Wide!WIDE! Fires it in down leg, on a length for a wide.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, No run.Missed out! Sikandar Raza goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Washington Sundar misses out as he goes for the drive. The keeper is late in getting down, but luckily, his pads get in the way of the ball.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, No run.Darts it in, full and around off, Washington Sundar presses forward and blocks it out.

Wellington Masakadza to Mukesh Kumar, No run.Fullish delivery, on off, Mukesh Kumar defends it out on the off side watchfully.

Avesh just can't believe that he aired that juicy full toss straight into the hands of Sikandar Raza at long off. Mukesh Kumar is in at number 10 now.

Wellington Masakadza to Avesh Khan, OUT! c Sikandar Raza b Wellington Masakadza.OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Not a wicket-taking delivery but Wellington Masakadza won't mind one bit. Avesh Khan is distraught. He could not have picked out the man in the deep any better. Low full toss, outside off, Avesh Khan stays low to make the connection and plays a cross-batted lofted stroke. Fails to get the elevation to clear the fence and hits it straight down the throat of long off where Sikandar Raza does the rest. Zimbabwe 2 wickets away now from a famous win.

Wellington Masakadza to Avesh Khan, No run.Fired in, short and on a nagging length, Avesh Khan slashes hard at it but fails to connect.

Wellington Masakadza to Avesh Khan, Four!FOUR! Short and punished! Back-to-back boundaries for Avesh Khan! Masakadza errs in length as he serves a half-tracker, on off and middle, Avesh Khan rocks back and nails the pull to the left of deep mid-wicket for four more runs.

Wellington Masakadza to Avesh Khan, Four!FOUR! Misfield! A gift served to India in the form of a boundary. Fuller and on off and middle, Avesh Khan swats it along the ground to long on where Innocent Kaia runs in off the ropes and there is no pressure on him to release the throw quickly. Kaia lets it slip through his legs for a boundary.

Wellington Masakadza to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Comes back into the attack and begins on a nagging length, on middle, Washington Sundar whips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Sikandar Raza to Avesh Khan, No run.Good length, and outside off, Avesh Khan goes deeper into the crease and blocks it back to the bowler. 41 needed off the last 5 overs now.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Pushes it through, full and drifting on the middle and leg, Washington Sundar gets on his front foot and drives along the carpet for a single to leg side.

Sikandar Raza to Avesh Khan, 1 run.Tossed up, outside off and on a fuller length, Avesh Khan clears his front leg but mistimes it towards the cow corner region for a single.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Around off, on a length, Washington Sundar goes back and pats it down to long on for a single.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, 2 runs.Around the stumps now, length ball, angling on to the pads, Washington Sundar watches it closely, leans onto the ball and steers it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. Sikandar Raza is not really happy with that complacent effort in the deep that allowed an extra run.

Sikandar Raza to Avesh Khan, 1 run.Good length, outside off, Avesh punches it off the back foot towards the left of mid off and takes a quick single.

Luke Jongwe to Avesh Khan, 1 run.Slower one, onto the pads on a fuller length, Avesh Khan turns it square for a single at deep square leg.

Luke Jongwe to Avesh Khan, Four!FOUR! Avesh Khan gets it right this time and gets a crucial boundary! Full, but too full, and around the off-stump line, Avesh Khan gets an overpitched-delivery and swipes it across off the inner half of the bat. He gets it through the tiny gap between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Slower one and outside off, Washington Sundar drives it to deep extra cover for just a single.

Luke Jongwe to Avesh Khan, 1 run.Hurls at a gentle pace, and lands it full and on off, Avesh Khan hits it down to mid on for a quick single.

Luke Jongwe to Avesh Khan, No run.Full and angles back into the leg stump, Avesh Khan misses to flick it off and wears it on the pads. It visibly looked like it is going down the leg side.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Length, outside off, Washington Sundar drives it square to deep point for one.

Sikandar Raza to Avesh Khan, No run.Length-delivery on the off stump, Avesh Khan hangs back and somehow manages to block it back to the bowler. End of a very successful over from the Zimbabwean skipper. India now need 55 off 42 balls. But they have only three wickets in hand.

Avesh Khan is the new man in.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, OUT! lbw b Sikandar Raza.OUT! LBW! A huge confident appeal and up goes the finger. No doubt in that as it looked in front of the stumps. However, Ravi Bishnoi has gone upstairs. Sikandar Raza spears in a quicker one with an upright seam position. Too full and right on the line of the stumps, Ravi Bishnoi skips down the track to access the leg side but since the ball is a quicker one on a flatter trajectory, he fails to bring the bat down in time and pings his front pad. UltraEdge is summoned and it shows no bat is involved. Ball Tracking then confirms three reds. Ravi Bishnoi perishes. Zimbabwe are sniffing a win here.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, No run.Slows it up a bit and keeps it full, on middle and leg, Ravi Bishnoi paddles but picks out the man at short fine leg.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, No run.Length ball, around off, Ravi Bishnoi looks to defend but the ball hits on the gloves and rolls down the deck.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, Four!FOUR! Second four from Bishnoi! Quicker and pitched on a shorter length, outside off, Ravi Bishnoi goes back into the crease and punches it through extra cover for a boundary.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, 3 runs.Raza continues from around the stumps, on a fuller length, Washington Sundar leans ahead and drives it through the cover region but the ball loses its steam before the ropes. Johnathan Campbell from deep covers runs in to his right and flicks the ball with the dive. Three taken.

Luke Jongwe to Ravi Bishnoi, No run.Slows it up again, outside off on a length, Ravi Bishnoi lunges ahead and tries to play an expansive drive but gets beaten. The wicket-keeper collects it cleanly and flashes off the bail but Ravi Bishnoi is unmoved and well inside the crease.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, 1 run.On the back of a length, around the off-pole, Washington Sundar drives it through covers for a single.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.Slower one, at 112 kph, on a length at the middle stump, Washington Sundar pushes it towards mid off again.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.At a gentle pace, on a length and on off, Washington Sundar blocks it to mid off.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.Good length, on the middle, Washington Sundar punches it to the left of the bowler.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.Going across the batter, on a length, Washington Sundar gets his bat out in front and pushes it with a straight bat in front of mid off.

Sikandar Raza to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Fires it in again from around the wicket, on off, on a length, Washington Sundar drives it square to deep point for one.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, 1 run.Full and sliding on, on middle, Ravi Bishnoi gets on the front foot and pushes it past the non-striker for a single.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, Four!FOUR! Cheeky and will do! Full and around leg, Ravi Bishnoi sits down on his knee and sweeps it very fine past short fine for a boundary.

Sikandar Raza to Ravi Bishnoi, No run.Good length, on the stumps, Ravi Bishnoi pushes it to mid-wicket.

Zimbabwe are into India's tail now. Ravi Bishnoi walks in at number 8.

Sikandar Raza to Shubman Gill, OUT! b Sikandar Raza.OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Captain-to-captain and Sikandar Raza wins the battle! He sprints in celebration and India are in all sorts of trouble now with the skipper Shubman Gill too, back to the hut. Sikandar Raza hides the ball and lands it on a fuller length, on a flatter trajectory, and on the middle stump, Shubman Gill is hurried into the shot as he walks ahead a couple of steps. He looks to push it across the line but misses to connect. The ball sneaks past the inside edge, deflects off the front pad and crashes into the off pole.

Sikandar Raza to Shubman Gill, Four!FOUR! Gill is unfazed by what's happening at the other end. Sikandar Raza starts off with a fuller-length delivery, onto the pads, Shubman Gill shuffles a bit to the leg side, half-squats at it and pulls it behind square through backward square leg for a boundary.

Luke Jongwe to Washington Sundar, No run.Pace on now, on a hard length, on off, Washington Sundar stabs it down the deck for a dot. End of a successful over for Luke Jongwe and Zimbabwe. At the halfway mark, India are 43/5, needing 73 runs in 60 balls.

Washington Sundar is in at number 7 with half of the Indian side into the sheds.

Luke Jongwe to Dhruv Jurel, OUT! c Wessly Madhevere b Luke Jongwe.OUT! TAKEN! Dhruv Jurel tries to repeat the previous shot but it does not come off for him this time. There's that trademark celebration from Luke Jongwe as he removes his boot and uses it as a mobile phone! Jongwe serves a cross-seam delivery without much pace on offer and drags the length back too. Dhruv Jurel gets on the front foot again to get the cover drive away but the ball is not as full as the previous delivery. The ball sticks in the surface and it results in Jurel going through his shot early. The bat twists in his hands and ends up hitting this one low towards cover where Wessly Madhevere takes a good catch near his shoelaces.

Luke Jongwe to Dhruv Jurel, Four!FOUR! Cracked away! A juicy half-volley by Jongwe and it is the slower one as well, outside off, Dhruv Jurel waits for the ball to arrive, springs on the front foot and creams the drive between cover and mid off for a boundary.

Luke Jongwe to Shubman Gill, 1 run.Jongwe takes pace off and goes into the wicket, over off and middle, Shubman Gill hangs back and tries the pull but miscues the shot to long on for just a single.

Luke Jongwe to Dhruv Jurel, 1 run.At 124 kph, on a good length, outside off, Dhruv Jurel drives it square to deep point and crosses over.

Luke Jongwe to Shubman Gill, 1 run.Starts with a length delivery, on the pads, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single by Shubman Gill.

India needs 80 to win from 66 deliveries. Luke Jongwe is introduced into the attack now. He will bowl with the keeper up to the stumps.

Wellington Masakadza to Dhruv Jurel, No run.Good shot for no run! Masakadza drops it fractionally short, around off, Dhruv Jurel cuts it fiercely towards backward point but fails to get it through. A quiet over by Masakadza, just the 2 runs off it.

Wellington Masakadza to Dhruv Jurel, No run.Masakadza sees the batter back away and follows him with a full delivery. Jurel is tucked up for room and can only push this one back to the bowler.

Wellington Masakadza to Dhruv Jurel, No run.Angled in again, fuller and on off, Dhruv Jurel presses forward and works it to point where the fielder makes a stop and prevents the single.

Wellington Masakadza to Shubman Gill, 1 run.Sliding on with the arm, short and over middle, Shubman Gill pulls it to wide long on for a single.

Wellington Masakadza to Shubman Gill, No run.Spears it in flat and short, outside off, Shubman Gill tries to make use of the width and goes for the cut but misses.

Wellington Masakadza to Dhruv Jurel, 1 run.Masakadza darts it in from around the wicket, full and on off, knocked down to long off for a single by Jurel.

Change? Back to spin? Yes, Wellington Masakadza (1-0-4-0) is into the attack again. He replaces Tendai Chatara.

Blessing Muzarabani to Shubman Gill, No run.Three dots by Muzarabani to close out the over. On a hard length, on off, Shubman Gill stays leg side of the ball and dabs it square towards backward point. Jurel wants a single but Gill says 'No' and sends him back.

Blessing Muzarabani to Shubman Gill, No run.Pulls the length back and bowls it on off, Shubman Gill stays back in the crease and plays it to backward point.

Blessing Muzarabani to Shubman Gill, No run.Half a shout for LBW but there was inside edge involved. Fuller in length now, honing in at the stumps, Shubman Gill shapes up to play the flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads which saves the Indian skipper.

Blessing Muzarabani to Shubman Gill, Four!FOUR! Placed to perfection! Muzarabani hurls it on a back of a length, on middle, Shubman Gill rides the bounce nicely and employs the short-arm jab. Hits it to the left of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Blessing Muzarabani to Dhruv Jurel, Leg bye.Leg bye! Too straight again by Muzarabani, on the pads, Dhruv Jurel misses the tickle as the ball rolls off his pads down to deep fine leg for a leg bye.

Blessing Muzarabani to Shubman Gill, 1 run.Muzarabani strays on the pads slightly, on a short of a good length, Shubman Gill nudges it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Well, that was a superb over from Tendai Chatara. A maiden over at this juncture is really impressive. But, Zimbabwe are still hanging by a thread here as they don't have enough runs on the board. A wicket or two here could tilt the game in their favor. But as of now, this is a cliffhanger. Also, no change, Blessing Muzarabani to continue.