ZIM vs IND | Abhishek Sharma’s glorious ton and Gaikwad-Rinku alliance crush Zimbabwe

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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India exacted revenge following yesterday's defeat and thrashed Zimbabwe by 100 runs at Harare. Abhishek Sharma's stunning century off just 46 deliveries coupled with Ruturaj Gaikwad's 77 off 47 charged India to 234/2 whereas Zimbabwe faltered after a great start and succumbed in 18.4 overs.

Brief score: IND 234/2  (20) [Abhishek  100 (47), Gaikwad 77 (47); Muzarabani 1/30(4)] beat ZIM 134 (18.4) [Madhevere 43 (39), Jongwe 33(26); Avesh 3/9(3)] by 100 runs.

After a disappointing 13-run defeat yesterday, India skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first in the second T20I in Harare. The Men in Blue had a rocky start as Gill departed in the second over without making a significant impact. However, this early setback didn't deter India, as Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad launched a blistering counter-attack propelling the score to 74/1 in 10 overs. The 23-year-old Punjab-born was in exceptional form, reaching a 33-ball fifty and accelerating the score to 110/1 in 12 overs. His onslaught continued which culminated in his maiden T20I century off just 46 balls, earning applause from the dressing room. Sharma's impressive innings came to an end in the 14th over, offering Zimbabwe a brief respite. Despite Sharma's departure, Rinku Singh and Gaikwad steadied the ship, keeping the momentum going. The Maharashtra batter reached his fifty off 38 balls, and together with Rinku, added 87 runs for the third wicket. Their partnership powered India to a commanding total of 234/2 in 20 overs. 

In response, India made a strong start with the ball as Mukesh Kumar dismissed Innocent Kaia in the very first over. Brian Bennett countered with a quickfire 19 runs in the second over pushing Zimbabwe to 24/1. However, Mukesh struck again in the third over sending Bennett back after a brisk 26 off just nine deliveries. Avesh Khan further dented Zimbabwe's hopes by claiming Dion Myers and Sikandar Raza in the fourth over reducing them to 46/4 after four overs. As the pitch slowed, Wessley Madhevere and Johnathan Campbell struggled, inching Zimbabwe to 69/4 by the ninth over. Furthermore, Campbell fell to Washington Sundar in the 10th over, and Ravi Bishnoi soon dismissed Clive Madande at 76/6 by the 11th over. With wickets falling steadily, Zimbabwe's chances dwindled further when Wellington Masakadza departed in the 12th over. Madhevere and Luke Jongwe added 39 runs, providing some hope with the score at 115/7 by the 16th over. However, without support from the lower order, Zimbabwe was eventually bowled out for 134 runs, handing India a comprehensive 100-run victory. 

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