Momentum in any sport is a very lethal asset and whichever team has the momentum on it’s side has the power to change the course of the matches in it’s favor, in fact course of series’ – in spite of trailing and looking down and out. Similar has been the case for India this series, they had the momentum from the 3-0 ODI series win but the momentum was quick to shift to Zimbabwe who beat India in an absolute thriller 1st t20 – clinching victory by 2 runs.
T20 2 of 3 – Zimbabwe lead series 1-1
| India | vs | Zimbabwe |
| Date | 20 June 2016 | |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club | |
| 103/0 (13.1) | 99/9 (20) | |
India won by 10 wickets |
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Coming into 2nd t20, the momentum was with Zimbabwe but can the confidence of spirited Indian unit with the ratio of 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 2 weeks fade away so easily or were they ready to showcase their true talent and fight back into the t20 series, it made out to be an interesting match.
Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first, making one change that of bringing Moor into the side in place of Mutumbami. Dhoni’s men had 2 changes to their XI from the last game – Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan OUT and Kulkarni and Sran IN.
The Zimbabweans innings yet again got off to a shaky start which has been so often the case with them due to inexperience at the top order and lack of application shown frequently by some of the most senior players in the side – Chibhabha went cheaply for 10. At 26 in 4.1, the hard-hitting Masakadza whose aggressive striking could have resulted in some quick run making for Zimbabwe – something that only turned out to be a food for thought as he too got out without troubling the scorers for 10.
Just 2 runs later, Zimbabwe backs were pushed against the walls by 2 successive wickets from Barinder Sran – knocking off Raza and Mutombodzi cheaply for 1 and 0 respectively. Zimbabwe was 28-4.
Moor showed some resistance from the other end with some sensible batting but the wickets at the other end were a sight not rare sight – the frustrating bit was the manner in which the Zimbabwe batsman were giving their wicket away – not putting a price on their wicket.
Moor’s 31 off 32 balls became the higher individual score of the innings and the next was a mere 14 by Waller – the Zimbabwe team was 99-9 at the end of their 20 overs, another dismissal performance from the hosts. Barinder Sran from India finished with the figures of 4 overs -10 runs-4 wickets.
The total of 99 was never going to trouble the Indian side and more so after a defeat in the last match, which made the Indian desperate to turn things around and make amends – let everyone know that last match was not a testimony to the strength of this young Indian team.
The pair of KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh looked fluent from ball one and the Zimbabwe bowlers just weren’t looking troubling enough to get the scalp of either of the two.
At the end of 10 overs, India were in commanding position at 74/0 with KL Rahul on 33 and Mandeep Singh on 37, victory just 25 runs away, with 10 over remaining to get the runs.
India’s dominance in the match didn’t end until the finishing line as they ended seizing a very formidable victory, squaring the series at 1-1. India chased the total with 10 wickets in hand, Rahul finishing with 47 and Mandeep with 52.
Sran was given the man of the match award for his exemplary bowling figures.
