Just weeks after relinquishing the top spot in the rankings after a disastrous T20I series defeat, India has returned to where it believed to be its due.
Thanks to a crushing 90-run win over Zimbabwe in the second T20I in Harare, Shreyas Iyer’s men not only registered their second successive win in the three-match series but also climbed back to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings following England’s defeat. For the young Indian team, which had tasted defeat in the recent series against Ireland followed by their heartbreaking loss to England, it was a well-needed victory. The win also came on the back of a thrilling batting display and a stunning display of bowling.
Ishan Kishan scored his best T20I knock of the series, an unbeaten 81 off 44 balls, while Tilak Varma silenced the critics with a well-played 60 off just 28 balls. The duo’s efforts saw India post a mammoth total of 219/5 after being put in to bat owing to a poor start to their innings.
Ishan Kishan and Tilak Rescue India After Early Blow
India’s innings did not start as expected as the visitors found themselves at 29/2 inside the first three overs. Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack looked set to dismantle India’s middle order, but Kishan eased the nerves of the fans as he launched into an astonishing assault on the Zimbabwean bowling attack.
Also read: ‘I Kept Things Very Simple’: Ishan Kishan Opens Up After Guiding India to Series Win Over Zimbabwe
The left-hander initially partnered Shreyas Iyer (25) in a 66-run stand before flexing his muscles in a stunning 94-run stand with Tilak Varma.
Kishan reached his half-century in 31 balls, but his hitting acceleration in the next 13 deliveries saw him scoring 31 runs. He played the leg side beautifully and frequently as he punished the bowling attack of Brian Bennett and Brad Evans, hitting a number of boundaries and sixes to the mid-wicket fence.
Tilak Varma played a delightful supporting role before launching into his own assault late in the innings. The left-hander raced to his half-century in only 23 balls, silencing the critics who questioned his strike rate.
India’s Bowlers Finish the Job
India’s bowlers did their job in similar fashion as they did not allow Zimbabwe to post a competitive total.
Brian Bennett scored a quick 32 off 19 deliveries before falling to Yash Thakur. The pacer bowled a brilliant opening over to Bennett, who attacked him aggressively, but Thakur removed the opener with a well-directed bouncer that the batter attempted to loft over the keeper’s head. Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper, pouches the ball to end Bennett’s innings.
After that, India’s bowlers did not allow Zimbabwe to accelerate further.
Abhishek Sharma was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 3 wickets for 17 runs, while Yash Thakur and Prince Yadav each took two wickets as the hosts were all out for 129 in 17.5 overs. Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani gave the Zimbabwean innings a brief boost, but none of the batters could add valuable runs to the total.
Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma, India’s part-time bowlers, also contributed by taking a wicket apiece as the visitors wrapped up the innings with yet another convincing win.
A Winning Night for India, But One Bowler Injured
The only cloud on India’s horizon was that fast bowler Prince Yadav had to leave the game early due to a hamstring injury.
The injury to Yadav, who took two wickets in just 1.2 overs, could prove to be a significant concern for India, as the team’s pace bowling has been a matter of concern in recent weeks.
However, the victory enabled India to record an excellent win.
The win gave India an unbeatable 2-0 series lead over the hosts, returned the team to the top of the ICC T20I rankings, and marked Shreyas Iyer’s first series as India’s T20I captain with a win.
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