Cricket

India vs Zimbabwe 4th T20I: Team India Eyes Series Win, Shubman Gill Aims for Maiden Captaincy TriumphTeam India stands on the cusp of clinching the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe as they prepare for the fourth T20I encounter on Saturday, July 13. The young Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, has bounced back from their opening game defeat to establish a 2-1 lead in the series.Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Washington Sundar have emerged as key performers for India, showcasing their talent and contributing to the team's success. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be determined to pull off another upset and level the series.The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, and will commence at 4:30 PM IST. Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network, while the live streaming will be available on the SonyLiv app and website.Team India has a golden opportunity to secure the series victory and give Shubman Gill his first series win as captain. The young opener has shown maturity and leadership qualities throughout the series, and a series win would be a significant achievement for him.Zimbabwe, despite their underdog status, has proven to be a formidable opponent. They stunned India in the first T20I and will be eager to repeat that performance and force a decider in the fifth match.The upcoming encounter promises to be an exciting contest between two determined teams. India will be aiming to maintain their momentum and seal the series, while Zimbabwe will be looking to upset the odds and extend the series.

India's young guns are on the cusp of securing a series victory against Zimbabwe in the ongoing Twenty20 International series. After a disappointing loss in the opening encounter, the Shubman Gill-led team has bounced back with two convincing wins to take a commanding 2-1 lead.The series triumph may not hold significant weight in the grand scheme of cricket, but it has provided a platform for several promising players to showcase their potential. Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar have emerged as strong contenders to fill the void left by the departure of some of India's veteran stars.Washington has impressed with his all-round abilities, claiming six wickets at an economical rate of 4.5. His performance has put him in contention for the spin-all-rounder role in the Indian team, especially with Ravindra Jadeja's retirement from T20Is.Abhishek, on the other hand, has underlined his credentials as a future star with a blistering century in the second T20I. His aggressive batting and ability to play a variety of shots have made him a strong candidate for the top-order.With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma no longer part of the T20I setup, India is looking to identify their next generation of leaders. Yashasvi Jaiswal is the frontrunner to fill one of the top-order spots, while Abhishek is vying for the other alongside Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad.Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, who have been on the fringes of the Indian team, also have a chance to stake their claim in the remaining two games of the series. They will be eager to prove their worth and cement their place in the future plans of the Indian team.The performance of the bowlers, particularly leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, has also been encouraging. Bishnoi's googlies have proved to be a handful for the Zimbabwean batters, and he has picked up six wickets in the series so far.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain their early momentum after winning the first game. They have shown glimpses of brilliance, such as Blessing Muzarabani's fiery spells and Dion Myers' well-paced fifty. However, they need to find a way to consistently challenge this resurgent Indian team.

Abhishek Sharma, the young Indian opener, has made a remarkable impact in the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe. In the second T20I, Sharma smashed his maiden T20I century, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat in his second appearance for the team.After being dismissed for a duck in the series opener, Sharma showcased his true potential with a blistering knock of 100 runs off just 47 balls. He opened his account with a towering maximum over deep backward square leg and went on to hit seven fours and eight maximums.Sharma's explosive innings helped India level the series 1-1. However, former Zimbabwe batter Andy Flower has cautioned Sharma that his place in the team is not guaranteed, as Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to join the squad for the remaining matches."We have got Jaiswal still coming into the series, haven't we? So that sort of competition is exactly what the Indian selectors and all the Indian followers are looking for," Flower said.Despite the competition, Flower praised Sharma for making the most of his opportunity. "He should be confident at the moment coming off such a great IPL and then getting a hundred in his second international match. So what a great start," he added.Meanwhile, Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube will join the Indian team for the remaining three matches. The trio was part of India's T20 World Cup-winning contingent that recently celebrated their success with fans in India.The third T20I between India and Zimbabwe will be played at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. India will be looking to take the series lead, while Zimbabwe will aim to bounce back and secure a series victory.

Abhishek Sharma's maiden T20I century against Zimbabwe marked a significant milestone in his career, earning him accolades from former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. After a disappointing debut, Sharma showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 47-ball century, studded with seven fours and eight maximums.Yuvraj, who mentors Sharma, took to social media to congratulate the youngster, urging him to remain grounded. "Rome wasn't built in a day! Congratulations @IamAbhiSharma4 on the journey to your first International 100! Many more to come," Yuvraj tweeted.In a video call with Sharma, Yuvraj expressed his pride and predicted more centuries to come. "I'm very proud. Well done. You deserve it. Many more to come. This is just the start," Yuvraj said.Sharma acknowledged Yuvraj's contributions to his development, both on and off the field. "It is all because of him as well. The hard work he has put on me. Two, three years he's been working really hard on me and everything," Sharma said.Interestingly, Sharma revealed that he used skipper Shubman Gill's bat for his century. "I played with his bat only, which I found very difficult. He didn't even give it to me easily. This has been going on since I was under 14. Whenever I have played from his bat, it's good," Sharma said.Sharma's approach in the match was to capitalize on the overs he felt confident about. "I felt that as soon as I thought that I could go for this bowler, I tried my best in that over. I was in a flow, so I just wanted to go there and express myself," Sharma explained.With the series leveled at 1-1, India will face Zimbabwe in the third T20I on Wednesday, aiming to secure a series victory.

In the upcoming third T20 International against Zimbabwe in Harare, India faces a dilemma in selecting their opening batsman. Abhishek Sharma, with his aggressive style, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, known for his flamboyant batting, are both vying for the spot.With the return of Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube from the World Cup-winning squad, India's lineup will be strengthened. Jaiswal, with his impressive strike rate of 161 plus in 17 T20I matches, has a strong claim to open alongside skipper Shubman Gill.However, Sharma's century in his second game has also made a strong case for his inclusion. Captain Gill is unlikely to drop Jaiswal, his close friend, but it's possible that one of the left-handers will bat first.Samson, who bats third for Rajasthan Royals, may move to number five, while Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to bat at number four. Jaiswal is expected to replace B Sai Sudharsan, while Samson will take over from Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps. Dube is likely to replace Riyan Parag, adding depth to India's batting lineup.Zimbabwe's batting has been inconsistent, with scores of 115 and 134 in the first two matches. Spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have been particularly effective on the Harare Sports Club pitch.India learned a valuable lesson from their 13-run loss in the first game and performed admirably in the second game. Captain Gill will be looking for a strong result, and the absence of express pace bowlers in the Zimbabwean squad could be a concern for the home team.

India's opening batter Abhishek Sharma etched his name in history with a blistering century as the visitors crushed Zimbabwe by 100 runs in the second T20I in Harare on Sunday.Sharma, playing only his second T20I, smashed an unbeaten 100 off just 47 deliveries, becoming the first Indian to score a century in the shortest format outside India. His knock was studded with seven fours and eight sixes, laying the foundation for India's mammoth total of 234 for 2.Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 not out) and Rinku Singh (48 not out) provided valuable support to Sharma, ensuring India posted a formidable target.In response, Zimbabwe's chase was derailed by the brilliance of Avesh Khan (3 for 15) and Ravi Bishnoi (2 for 11). The hosts were bowled out for a paltry 134, handing India a comprehensive victory.Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged India's dominance, stating, "The world champions will eventually play like world champions." He admitted that his team's fielding lapses and inability to capitalize on batting opportunities proved costly.Despite the loss, Raza praised the fighting spirit of his batters, particularly Blessing Muzarabani, who impressed with his bowling. He also highlighted the need for improvement in batting consistency and experience.The victory leveled the five-match series 1-1, setting up an intriguing contest in the remaining three matches.

India's young opener Abhishek Sharma has emerged as a rising star in the cricketing world, showcasing his immense talent and determination. After making his international debut in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, Sharma has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.Despite a disappointing start with a duck in his first T20I, Sharma bounced back with a remarkable maiden century in the second game, guiding India to a resounding 100-run victory. His blistering 47-ball 100 was a testament to his exceptional batting skills and ability to handle pressure.Sharma's success is not solely attributed to his natural talent but also to the unwavering support and guidance of his mentor, Yuvraj Singh. The legendary all-rounder has played a pivotal role in shaping Sharma's career, both on and off the field."He's been very happy and proud just like my family," Sharma said of Yuvraj's reaction to his century. "It's all because of him as well, the hard work he has put in (shaping) me."Sharma's impressive performance in Zimbabwe has not only earned him praise from his mentor but also from the Indian cricket fraternity. Captain KL Rahul hailed Sharma's "special knock" and praised his ability to "take the game away from the opposition."The young opener's success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the support of his mentors. As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, Abhishek Sharma is poised to become a key player for India in the years to come.

India's young team, led by Shubman Gill, bounced back from their opening defeat in the T20I series against Zimbabwe with a resounding 100-run victory in the second match in Harare.The visitors posted a formidable 234 for 2, thanks to a blistering century from Abhishek Sharma (100 off 47) and a solid 77 not out from Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 off 47). Rinku Singh provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 48 off 22.Gill praised the efforts of Sharma and Gaikwad, who shared a 137-run partnership for the second wicket. "With the way Abhishek and Rutu batted, it was not easy, especially in the powerplay, with the ball moving around. But Abhi and Rutu built the innings brilliantly," he said.Zimbabwe's chase never got going, as they were bowled out for 134 in 18.4 overs. Wessly Madhevere top-scored with 43, while Avesh Khan (3 for 15), Mukesh Kumar (3 for 37), and Ravi Bishnoi (2 for 11) shared the wickets for India.Gill admitted that his team had struggled to handle the pressure in the first match but learned from their mistakes. "Yesterday, it was more about not being able to handle the pressure. It's a young side and many of them are new to international exposure. It was actually good to have pressure in the first game and we knew what to expect coming into this game," he said.The victory levels the series at 1-1, with three matches remaining. Gill expressed optimism about his team's chances, saying, "We have got three matches to go and we are looking forward to them. It's always good to have more options rather than not having options."

Abhishek Sharma, the Indian opener, has revealed that he used the bat of his childhood friend and current captain, Shubman Gill, in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. Sharma credited the bat as a "lucky charm" in a "pressure game" for him.After being dismissed for naught in the first match, Sharma hammered seven fours and eight sixes in his even hundred, laying the foundation for India's comprehensive 100-run win. He described his journey with Gill as "beautiful," starting from the under-12 category."It has been quite beautiful, starting as kids of 11-12 years. Yeah, we are playing together from Under-12. When I was selected for the country, the first call I received was from Shubman," said Sharma in the post-match press meet.Sharma said playing with Gill's bat has been a practice that he follows from the age-group cricket. "Today, I played with his bat, so special thanks to the bat. It happened from the under-12 days, as whenever I play a pressure game I ask him for a bat. It had happened in the IPL as well. Today was no exception as it went well as it usually happens," said Sharma.The left-hander also thanked former India batter Yuvraj Singh and his own father for the fearless cricket that he was able to play now. "Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh) has made a big contribution. I don't consider myself as sixer-king or something like that. Special thanks to my dad for allowing me to play lofted shots. Generally, coaches don't allow a young batter to hit lofted shots. But my dad always said if you wanted to play a lofted shot then it should go out of the ground. So, I wanted to follow that," he elaborated.Despite the pressure of making his T20I international debut in the first game, Sharma remained composed. "I think the IPL plays a big role in this (handling pressure). We did not feel much pressure when we came here to represent the country as debutants. Unfortunately, we didn't start well in the first match. But my mindset and approach were pretty much similar – to show the right intent."Sharma was ousted in the opening over itself for a four-ball duck in the first match. But for him, it was not enough to transform his mindset or approach. "This is my game and I will go for the shot from the first ball if it's there in my slot. If it's my day then it works out, and if it does not, then I don't mind. I practice a lot for this mindset," he said.However, Sharma said he implemented his gameplan much better in the second match. "Of course, my execution was better today than yesterday. I was just calculating the risk that I should take in the first over, or whether to play according to the merit of the ball. Whenever I get boundaries or sixes in the first few balls then I believe that it's my day," he signed off.