5 factors behind India's record-win in the second T20I

Abhishek lays the foundation for India

After a duck on his debut yesterday, Abhishek Sharma led India’s charge with the bat who opted to bat first in the second T20I. Abhishek slowed down briefly, scoring only 10 runs off 15 balls between overs four and eight. Zimbabwe dropped him in this period once when he was on 27.

Abhishek accelerated from thereon, rushing from 50 to 100 within 13 deliveries, to complete a 46-ball hundred. He was out a ball later but became only the second T20I batter to overcome a duck in his debut with a hundred in the second outing. 

Gaikwad in the supporting role

Out to bat at three in the second over, Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed with 77 not out from 47 deliveries. He forged a 137-run stand with Abhishek, contributing 41 off 33 balls playing the second fiddle. 

Later on, he hammered 36 off his 14 subsequent deliveries in another quickfire partnership with Rinku Singh. 

Rinku in his elements

Rinku Singh was promoted to number four after Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal in the 14th over. The left-hander justified the management’s move, bashing 48 off 22 balls with five sixes. Rinku and Gaikwad added 87 runs for the third wicket from only 36 balls. Consequently, India notched up and above-par 234/2 on the board. 

Zimbabwe lose wickets in clusters

Zimbabwe were never in the game chasing a record total and lost wickets in clusters. The lost three wickets in the 40s (at the scores of 40, 41 and 46), another three in the 70s (72, 73 and 76) and the last three for 17 runs to be bowled out for 134 in 18.4 overs. 

The opener Wessly Madhevere (43 off 39) was their top-scorer, followed by the number nine Luke Jogwe (33 off 26). There was nothing in between. 

India bowlers hunt in pair

Mukesh Kumar again struck in his first over, cleaning up Innocent Kaia twice in two days. He picked 3/37 in 3.3 overs while Avesh Khan had figures of 3/15 in three overs. Ravi Bishnoi who snapped 4/15 yesterday grabbed 2/11 in four overs today (July 7).

(Cover image credits: @ZimCricketv on X) 

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