Cricket

India, led by Shubman Gill, elected to bat first in the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. The decision came after Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expressed his preference for bowling first, citing the pitch conditions.India made three changes to their lineup, welcoming back Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube, who were part of India's T20 World Cup-winning squad. They replaced B Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Mukesh Sharma was also brought in for Khaleel Ahmed.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, made two changes. Richard Ngarava returned to the side in place of Luke Jongwe, while Tadiwanashe Marumani replaced the injured Innocent Kaia.The series is currently tied at 1-1, with Zimbabwe winning the first match and India dominating the second.

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.

Abhishek Sharma's blistering century in his second T20I match against Zimbabwe has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history. The 23-year-old left-hander not only became the highest scorer for India against Zimbabwe in T20Is but also set a new record for the quickest century by an Indian batsman in this format, achieved in just two innings.Sharma's century came off just 46 balls, studded with seven fours and eight sixes. He reached his milestone with three consecutive sixes, scoring his first 50 runs in 33 balls and his next 50 in a mere 13 balls. His aggressive batting put immense pressure on Zimbabwe's bowlers, who struggled to contain his onslaught.With this knock, Sharma has joined an elite list of young Indians to score a century in T20Is. He is now the fourth-fastest Indian to reach this milestone, behind Deepak Hooda (three innings), KL Rahul (four innings), and Suresh Raina (five innings).Sharma's innings was particularly impressive considering the pressure he was under. India had lost Shubman Gill early in the innings, and the onus was on him to provide stability and momentum. He did so with aplomb, taking the attack to the Zimbabwean bowlers from the outset.His partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad flourished, crossing the 100-run mark. Gaikwad played a supporting role, rotating the strike effectively and allowing Sharma to dominate the proceedings.Sharma's innings came to a dramatic end when he tried to cut Wellington Masakadza and edged the ball to Dion Myers. However, his contribution had already secured India a comfortable victory.Sharma's century is a testament to his talent and potential. He has shown that he has the ability to play with aggression and flair, and he could be a valuable asset to the Indian team in the future.

India's young cricket team suffered a disappointing 13-run defeat to an inexperienced Zimbabwe side in the first T20I of the five-match series in Harare on July 6.Led by debutant captain Shubman Gill, India opted to field first and restricted Zimbabwe to 115/9 in 20 overs. Wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi claimed a career-best 4 for 13, while off-spin-allrounder Washington Sundar snapped 2 for 11.However, India's batting lineup faltered in pursuit of the modest target. Despite handing debuts to Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, the young Indian batters failed to shine. Eight of the Indian batsmen were dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving Washington Sundar (27 off 34 balls) as the only batsman to offer any resistance.Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza led from the front with his tidy 3/25 from his spin bowling, while Tendai Chatara bagged 3/16 from 3.1 overs.This defeat marks India's first loss in the T20I format in 2024. It also highlights the challenges facing the young Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Shubman Gill, the rising star of Indian cricket, will lead a young and promising Team India against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the five-match series, commencing on June 6. This series marks a significant transition for the Indian team, as several senior players have been rested, including former T20I captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.Gill, who has impressed with his consistent performances in recent times, will have the added responsibility of captaining the side. He will be supported by a talented group of youngsters eager to prove their worth on the international stage.The Indian team is expected to field a strong batting lineup, with Gill opening the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, who is set to make his India debut. Ruturaj Gaikwad, known for his reliability, will bat at number three. Riyan Parag, a hard-hitting middle-order batter, could also make his India debut in this series. Rinku Singh, who narrowly missed out on a spot in India's 2024 T20 World Cup squad, will aim to continue his impressive form as a finisher.Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper-batter, will be looking to make the most of his opportunities after failing to impress in his limited appearances for India. Washington Sundar, an experienced all-rounder, will provide balance to the team with his quality spin bowling and handy batting skills.The bowling attack will be led by Ravi Bishnoi, a leg-spinner who has the ability to trouble even the best batters. Khaleel Ahmed, a left-arm pacer, will be eager to make an impact after a successful IPL 2024 season. Avesh Khan, a right-arm pacer, will also be looking to prove his worth in the face of stiff competition in the Indian team. Mukesh Kumar, known for his pinpoint accuracy and discipline, could get a chance ahead of Harshit Rana and Tushar Deshpande.This series against Zimbabwe provides an excellent opportunity for the young Indian players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a place in the main team. With a new era dawning for Indian cricket, the performances of these youngsters will be closely watched as they aim to build a strong foundation for the future.