5 factors behind India's first T20I defeat in 2024

Zimbabwe’s decent start

Bowling the second over, Mukesh Kumar struck off his first ball in the match, dismissing Innocent Kaia for a first-ball duck. However, Zimbabwe recovered from it pretty quickly, with Brian Bennett scoring 22 off 15. 

In the fifth over, Bennett and Wessly Madhevere struck two fours each. The 17-run over induced momentum into Zimbabwe’s innings. 

Bishnoi put brakes on Zimbabwe

Ravi Bishnoi soon derailed the hosts with his career-best figures of 4/13. Brought in the attack to close the powerplay, Bishnoi picked a wicket off his first ball with the scalp of Bennett. He didn’t concede a run from his first nine deliveries, and his figures read 2-1-3-2 after his first spell. 

In his second spell, Bishnoi ran through Zimbabwe’s top order, finishing with a double-wicket maiden over. 

Madande with vital runs

Slipping from 89/5 to 90/9, Zimbabwe were staring at a two-digit total. The wicketkeeper-batter, Clive Madande, then (29* off 25) forged an unbeaten 25-run stand with the number 11, Tendai Chatara. He struck fours off the last two balls, dragging Zimbabwe to 115/9. 

India collapse

Despite chasing an under-par total, India were never ahead in the chase. They kept losing one wicket after the other, finishing the powerplay at 28/4, their lowest powerplay score since 2010. 

In the powerplay, the pacers picked three wickets. From thereon, the spinners wreaked havoc, picking 5/40 in eight overs between them. Sikandar Raza, the Player of the Match, contributed with 3/25, including the big wicket of Shubman Gill. 

Washington couldn’t get India through

When Raza left India at 47/6 in 10.2 overs, Washington Sundar was the only recognised batter left. The left-hander finished on 27 off 34 balls but with wickets falling at the other end, he couldn’t get the team across the finish line. 

In the last two overs, India needed 18 to win with only one wicket in hand. Taking singles was not an option, and the Men in Blue fell short by 13 runs. 

(Cover Image: @ZimCricketv on X)

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