Zimbabwe clinched a stunning upset win over Shubman Gill's Team India in the first T20I played in Harare on Saturday, July 6, only a week after Men in Blue became T20 World Cup 2024 champions. Batting first, Zimbabwe only managed to score 115 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The Indian spinners were particularly effective in restricting the Zimbabwean batters. However, India's struggles continued in the second innings. They were eventually bowled out for a mere 102 runs, marking the lowest total India has ever failed to chase in a T20I match.
India's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four wickets within the first five overs. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh were dismissed for ducks, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dhruv Jurel managed only 7 runs each. Riyan Parag could only add 2 runs. Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, was the team's highest scorer with 31 runs from 29 balls before being dismissed by Sikandar Raza. Ravi Bishnoi, the seventh batsman out, scored 9 runs from 8 balls. Raza claimed two more wickets, dismissing Avesh Khan for 16 runs and Mukesh Kumar. With 16 runs needed in the final over, Washington Sundar's dismissal by Chatara sealed India's fate.
India captain Shubman Gill was left gutted after team's shocking defeat at the hands of a minnow side, who even failed to qualify for the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. Gill admitted that he should have batted longer and stayed till the end in his team's best interest.
Shubman Gill rues India's loss vs Zimbabwe
“We bowled pretty well, we let ourselves down in the field. We were not up to standard and everyone looked a bit rusty. We spoke about taking time and enjoying our batting but it didn't pan out that way. Halfway through we had lost 5 wickets, would've been best for us if I stayed there till the end, very disappointed with the way I got out and the rest of the match panned out. There was a bit of hope for us but when you're chasing 115 and your no.10 batter is out there, you know something is wrong,” dejected Shubman said at the post-match press conference.
India will now look to bounce back when they next face Zimbabwe in the second T20I on July 7.
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