Chronicle Editor
Blessing Malinganiza, Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE captain Sikandar Raza yesterday lamented a bad day on the field as the Chevrons allowed world champions to recover from Saturday’s defeat and post their biggest T20I win in terms of runs over the hosts at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The Indians put in a big shift with both bat and ball to underline the rift between the two sides after claiming a 100-run win, thanks to a brilliant century from one of their rising stars, Abhishek Sharma (100).
They also benefited from some fielding inadequacies by the home team, who dropped a handful of catches.
“The world champions will eventually play like world champions. I thought our fielding was bad, dropping four chances hurt us.
“I expected 200 on that wicket and it would get better in the second innings. They got 20 extra. I thought it would be a close game coming into the chase but it wasn’t,” said Raza.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India got off to a slow start, losing opener and captain Shubman Gill early for just two runs.
However, Sharma’s explosive innings turned the match on its head in front of a vociferous crowd on a bright afternoon at Harare Sports Club.
The Indian top-order batsman scored a 47-ball 100, including seven fours and eight sixes, to power India to a massive 234/2 — their second-highest T20I total away from home.
Sharma’s century, which was the joint-third fastest for India in men’s T20Is, was highlighted by his onslaught against the Zimbabwe bowlers after he survived a dropped catch by Wellington Masakadza when he was on 27 runs.
He smashed three consecutive sixes in an over, off Wellington Masakadza in the 14th over becoming the first player to achieve this feat in men’s international cricket.
“It was a good performance after the defeat yesterday. We didn’t have much time to lament. I felt that T20 is all about the momentum, thought it was my day today.
“Special thanks to the coaches and captain for keeping confidence. After the drop, I thought it was my day and had to take responsibility,” said Sharma.
Ruturaj Gaikwad also weighed in with an undefeated 77 off 47 balls, while Rinku Singh smashed an unbeaten 22-ball 48, to set a loft target for the hosts.
Facing a daunting target, Zimbabwe’s chase never took off as the Indian bowlers dominated proceedings.
Despite a spirited performance from Wessly Madhevere, who top scored with 43 runs from 39 balls, Luke Jongwe’s 33 from 26 deliveries, and Brian Bennett’s 26 from nine, Zimbabwe were unable to mount a successful chase against the Asians. Eventually, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 134 runs in 18,4 overs.
They could not cope with the pace of Pacers Avesh Khan (3-15) and Mukesh Kumar (3-37) who shared six wickets, while wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi took 2-11 in four overs.
The five-match series, which came just days after India had won the ICC T20 World Cup, is now level 1-1 ahead of the third match on Wednesday. Zimbabwe captain Raza conceded his team had a torrid time on the field.
“Sorry that today wasn’t a good day in the office, but there are a couple of positives and negatives,” said Raza.
“We dropped a few catches and that sort of hurt us every time we dropped a catch. If there was something to work on, I think if our catching was a bit better as it was in the first game, this would have been a closer game than it is right now.
“But a lot of positives, a lot of mistakes our youngsters have made have been due to lack of experience and not so much to do with the skills; so, that’s a lot of positives as well.
“As they play, as they continue to find their feet in international cricket, they learn, we all have been there. So, we are still very happy and very positive about how we went about our business.
“The scorecard may not say that, but certainly a lot of good intent we showed, something that was missing in the past.
Online Reporter