On this day, July 6, 2024: Zimbabwe upset India in a low scoring thriller as they won by 13 runs. It was the first ever match for India after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. India sent a different squad with plenty of players getting debut. Shubman Gill was the captain of the side and India were up against Zimbabwe in the first match of the series. India opted to bowl first after winning the toss and did brilliantly with the ball in the first innings.
Ravi Bishnoi did most of the damage with the ball and picked up four wickets to restrict Zimbabwe to a score of 115/9 in 20 overs. In reply, India got off to a terrible start and lost four wickets inside the powerplay. The chase began with Abhishek Sharma getting out on a duck in the first over. The Zimbabwe bowling unit, with their tails up, reduced India to 22/4 inside the powerplay.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (7) lost his wicket to Blessing Muzarabani while Tendai Chetara got rid of Riyan Parag (2) and Rinku Singh (0). Dhruv Jurel was the next to be dismissed after scoring six runs while captain Shubman Gill, who looked in fine form, got out after making a 29-ball 31. Gill and Washington Sundar helped India take the game deep but the visitors fell short by 13 runs as the Zimbabwe cricket team pulled off their third win over India in the shortest format. Despite the bowlers, led by Bishnoi’s spell of 4/13, putting on a disciplined effort, Indian batters endured a difficult evening in Harare as the batters failed. Only three batters in Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan managed to get into double digits. Gill was the highest scorer with 31 runs but it was a disappointing effort from the Indian side. Tenda chatara and Sikandar Raza picked up three wickets each as Zimbabwe defended a low total of 115 and stunned India. Sikandar Raza was also the player of the match.
