Zimbabwe vs India, IND in ZIM, 5 T20I Series, 2024 Full score card

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Zimbabwe script a famous win, upstaging the reigning T20 champions! Tendai Chatara bends his back and directs a good bumper, aimed at the batter, Washington Sundar goes for the pull but he is tucked up for room and the ball gets big on him too. Gets a top edge that goes in the air and only as far as backward square leg. Blessing Muzarabani from short fine leg, runs to his right and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through before diving full-length to take a brilliant catch. The ball stays in his grasp even as his elbow hits the turf. The crowd are jubilant as are Sikandar Raza and his men. Zimbabwe win by 13 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series!

That should do it for Zimbabwe! Tendai Chatara now has to ensure that he does not overstep or bowl a wide here. Length delivery, going across the batter, on off, Washington Sundar stays deep in the crease but can only hit it along the ground to long off. The crowd erupts but Sikandar Raza signals to his players to calm down as the game is not over yet.

Johnathan Campbell, you beauty! Saves two for his side. Oh no, hang on. Washington Sundar did not run, so even better for Zimbabwe. A dot and it leaves India needing 14 runs now off the last 3 balls. Chatara offers width, on a length, outside off, Washington Sundar clears his front leg and smacks it hard to the left of deep cover where Johnathan Campbell springs to his left and dives to cut it off.

A good effort in the deep by Blessing Muzarabani to keep it down to two. Chatara is lucky to get away with it as this is short and too straight, around the hips, Washington Sundar gets inside the line but gets this one high on the bat. Gets enough bat on it to clear short fine leg. Muzarabani gives it a chase and slides to save a couple of runs for his side.

A dot. Good start to the over for Zimbabwe. Chatara angles it across the batter, on a short of a good length, outside off, Washington Sundar clears his front leg to access the off side but Sundar ends up chopping it down on the deck.

Who bowls the final over? Surely, it is going to be Tendai Chatara, as he should! And, he will! India needs 16 off the finale over. Will Washington Sundar do the needful for India and pull off a miracle? Let's find out...

Watchfully left alone by Khaleel. Muzarabani digs it in short but the line is outside off, Khaleel Ahmed sways away from the line of the ball and sees the ball nestle into the gloves of the keeper. Right then, we are going down to the final over with India needing 16 runs.

Sundar crosses over now, leaving Khaleel Ahmed to face one ball in this over. Muzarabani dishes it out on a hard length, outside off, Washington Sundar flays at the delivery and gets an outside edge that goes down to deep third for one. India need 16 runs off the last 7 balls.

Hit hard but straight to the man in the deep. Short and wide on off, Washington Sundar makes room and stands tall to crack the cut to deep point and refuses the single yet again.

Delivers it on a length, going across, on off, Washington Sundar clears his front leg for a hack across the line but mishits it down to long on. No single taken again.

Lands it on a back of a length, over middle, Washington Sundar hangs back and steers it down to deep third. Sundar declines the single.

WIDE! This is pitched by Muzarabani but it goes beyond the wide guideline on off.

Beaten! Bangs it on a hard length does Muzarabani, outside off, Washington Sundar throws his hands at the delivery but fails to connect.

Who bowls the penultimate over now? Will it be Tendai Chatara? Will it be Blessing Muzarabani? It is Blessing Muzarabani (3-0-15-1) into the attack now.

And he succeeds in doing so. Fuller and at pace, on off, Washington Sundar extends his hands to drive it past cover but gets an inside edge that rolls to deep backward square leg for a single. 12 runs off the over, India are still alive in the game, needing 18 runs off the last 2 overs.

FOUR! Poor choice of delivery by Jongwe and it gets the treatment. With a short fine leg in place, Jongwe bowls the slower but the line is down leg, on a back of a length, Washington Sundar gets inside the line and pulls it up and over short fine leg for a boundary. Sundar will be looking to retain the strike now with a single off the last ball.

WIDE! Goes searching for the wide yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, beyond the tramline on off.

SIX! BANG! Picked the bones out of that! Slower and into the wicket, sits up nicely for Washington Sundar who sets up a good base for himself and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

On a shortish length, on middle, Washington Sundar pulls it aerially but well in front of deep mid-wicket. Refuses the single again does Sundar.

Into the wicket goes Jongwe, slower as well, Washington Sundar does not get any timing on the pull and hits it down to long on. No single taken.

Goes full and on off, Washington Sundar pushes it out from the crease to cover.

Khaleel Ahmed is the last man in for India.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Sikandar Raza strikes with the last ball of his spell! Zimbabwe on the cusp of a famous win. The crowd at the Harare Sports Club goes wild. Raza serves the off-break now, on a nagging length, on off, Mukesh Kumar is neither forward nor back and plays for the ball going straight on. The ball spins in after pitching and Mukesh ends up leaving a big gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks past the inside edge to rattle into the off stump.

Is that out? Has Mukesh Kumar dragged his foot outside the crease? The keeper seems confident. This spins away from the right-hander, full and outside off, Mukesh Kumar gets on the front foot to keep it out but the ball goes the other way and beats the bat. The keeper is quick to whip the bails off and the third umpire is called into action. However, the replays show that at no point did Mukesh drag his foot out and it was grounded all the way through inside the crease.

Takes the single now does Sundar! Slanting in, at the stumps, on middle and leg, Washington Sundar knocks it down to long on and crosses over.

Keeps it full and outside off, Washington Sundar leans on it and drives it square to deep point but refuses the single.

WIDE! Fires it in down leg, on a length for a wide.

Missed out! Sikandar Raza goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Washington Sundar misses out as he goes for the drive. The keeper is late in getting down, but luckily, his pads get in the way of the ball.

Darts it in, full and around off, Washington Sundar presses forward and blocks it out.

Fullish delivery, on off, Mukesh Kumar defends it out on the off side watchfully.

Avesh just can't believe that he aired that juicy full toss straight into the hands of Sikandar Raza at long off. Mukesh Kumar is in at number 10 now.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Not a wicket-taking delivery but Wellington Masakadza won't mind one bit. Avesh Khan is distraught. He could not have picked out the man in the deep any better. Low full toss, outside off, Avesh Khan stays low to make the connection and plays a cross-batted lofted stroke. Fails to get the elevation to clear the fence and hits it straight down the throat of long off where Sikandar Raza does the rest. Zimbabwe 2 wickets away now from a famous win.

Fired in, short and on a nagging length, Avesh Khan slashes hard at it but fails to connect.

FOUR! Short and punished! Back-to-back boundaries for Avesh Khan! Masakadza errs in length as he serves a half-tracker, on off and middle, Avesh Khan rocks back and nails the pull to the left of deep mid-wicket for four more runs.

FOUR! Misfield! A gift served to India in the form of a boundary. Fuller and on off and middle, Avesh Khan swats it along the ground to long on where Innocent Kaia runs in off the ropes and there is no pressure on him to release the throw quickly. Kaia lets it slip through his legs for a boundary.

Comes back into the attack and begins on a nagging length, on middle, Washington Sundar whips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Good length, and outside off, Avesh Khan goes deeper into the crease and blocks it back to the bowler. 41 needed off the last 5 overs now.

Pushes it through, full and drifting on the middle and leg, Washington Sundar gets on his front foot and drives along the carpet for a single to leg side.

Tossed up, outside off and on a fuller length, Avesh Khan clears his front leg but mistimes it towards the cow corner region for a single.

Around off, on a length, Washington Sundar goes back and pats it down to long on for a single.

Around the stumps now, length ball, angling on to the pads, Washington Sundar watches it closely, leans onto the ball and steers it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. Sikandar Raza is not really happy with that complacent effort in the deep that allowed an extra run.

Good length, outside off, Avesh punches it off the back foot towards the left of mid off and takes a quick single.

Slower one, onto the pads on a fuller length, Avesh Khan turns it square for a single at deep square leg.

FOUR! Avesh Khan gets it right this time and gets a crucial boundary! Full, but too full, and around the off-stump line, Avesh Khan gets an overpitched-delivery and swipes it across off the inner half of the bat. He gets it through the tiny gap between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary.

Slower one and outside off, Washington Sundar drives it to deep extra cover for just a single.

Hurls at a gentle pace, and lands it full and on off, Avesh Khan hits it down to mid on for a quick single.

Full and angles back into the leg stump, Avesh Khan misses to flick it off and wears it on the pads. It visibly looked like it is going down the leg side.

Length, outside off, Washington Sundar drives it square to deep point for one.

Length-delivery on the off stump, Avesh Khan hangs back and somehow manages to block it back to the bowler. End of a very successful over from the Zimbabwean skipper. India now need 55 off 42 balls. But they have only three wickets in hand.

Avesh Khan is the new man in.

OUT! LBW! A huge confident appeal and up goes the finger. No doubt in that as it looked in front of the stumps. However, Ravi Bishnoi has gone upstairs. Sikandar Raza spears in a quicker one with an upright seam position. Too full and right on the line of the stumps, Ravi Bishnoi skips down the track to access the leg side but since the ball is a quicker one on a flatter trajectory, he fails to bring the bat down in time and pings his front pad. UltraEdge is summoned and it shows no bat is involved. Ball Tracking then confirms three reds. Ravi Bishnoi perishes. Zimbabwe are sniffing a win here.

Slows it up a bit and keeps it full, on middle and leg, Ravi Bishnoi paddles but picks out the man at short fine leg.

Length ball, around off, Ravi Bishnoi looks to defend but the ball hits on the gloves and rolls down the deck.

FOUR! Second four from Bishnoi! Quicker and pitched on a shorter length, outside off, Ravi Bishnoi goes back into the crease and punches it through extra cover for a boundary.

Raza continues from around the stumps, on a fuller length, Washington Sundar leans ahead and drives it through the cover region but the ball loses its steam before the ropes. Johnathan Campbell from deep covers runs in to his right and flicks the ball with the dive. Three taken.

Slows it up again, outside off on a length, Ravi Bishnoi lunges ahead and tries to play an expansive drive but gets beaten. The wicket-keeper collects it cleanly and flashes off the bail but Ravi Bishnoi is unmoved and well inside the crease.

On the back of a length, around the off-pole, Washington Sundar drives it through covers for a single.

Slower one, at 112 kph, on a length at the middle stump, Washington Sundar pushes it towards mid off again.

At a gentle pace, on a length and on off, Washington Sundar blocks it to mid off.

Good length, on the middle, Washington Sundar punches it to the left of the bowler.

Going across the batter, on a length, Washington Sundar gets his bat out in front and pushes it with a straight bat in front of mid off.

Fires it in again from around the wicket, on off, on a length, Washington Sundar drives it square to deep point for one.

Full and sliding on, on middle, Ravi Bishnoi gets on the front foot and pushes it past the non-striker for a single.

FOUR! Cheeky and will do! Full and around leg, Ravi Bishnoi sits down on his knee and sweeps it very fine past short fine for a boundary.

Good length, on the stumps, Ravi Bishnoi pushes it to mid-wicket.

Zimbabwe are into India's tail now. Ravi Bishnoi walks in at number 8.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Captain-to-captain and Sikandar Raza wins the battle! He sprints in celebration and India are in all sorts of trouble now with the skipper Shubman Gill too, back to the hut. Sikandar Raza hides the ball and lands it on a fuller length, on a flatter trajectory, and on the middle stump, Shubman Gill is hurried into the shot as he walks ahead a couple of steps. He looks to push it across the line but misses to connect. The ball sneaks past the inside edge, deflects off the front pad and crashes into the off pole.

FOUR! Gill is unfazed by what's happening at the other end. Sikandar Raza starts off with a fuller-length delivery, onto the pads, Shubman Gill shuffles a bit to the leg side, half-squats at it and pulls it behind square through backward square leg for a boundary.

Pace on now, on a hard length, on off, Washington Sundar stabs it down the deck for a dot. End of a successful over for Luke Jongwe and Zimbabwe. At the halfway mark, India are 43/5, needing 73 runs in 60 balls.

Washington Sundar is in at number 7 with half of the Indian side into the sheds.

OUT! TAKEN! Dhruv Jurel tries to repeat the previous shot but it does not come off for him this time. There's that trademark celebration from Luke Jongwe as he removes his boot and uses it as a mobile phone! Jongwe serves a cross-seam delivery without much pace on offer and drags the length back too. Dhruv Jurel gets on the front foot again to get the cover drive away but the ball is not as full as the previous delivery. The ball sticks in the surface and it results in Jurel going through his shot early. The bat twists in his hands and ends up hitting this one low towards cover where Wessly Madhevere takes a good catch near his shoelaces.

FOUR! Cracked away! A juicy half-volley by Jongwe and it is the slower one as well, outside off, Dhruv Jurel waits for the ball to arrive, springs on the front foot and creams the drive between cover and mid off for a boundary.

Jongwe takes pace off and goes into the wicket, over off and middle, Shubman Gill hangs back and tries the pull but miscues the shot to long on for just a single.

At 124 kph, on a good length, outside off, Dhruv Jurel drives it square to deep point and crosses over.

Starts with a length delivery, on the pads, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single by Shubman Gill.

India needs 80 to win from 66 deliveries. Luke Jongwe is introduced into the attack now. He will bowl with the keeper up to the stumps.

Good shot for no run! Masakadza drops it fractionally short, around off, Dhruv Jurel cuts it fiercely towards backward point but fails to get it through. A quiet over by Masakadza, just the 2 runs off it.

Masakadza sees the batter back away and follows him with a full delivery. Jurel is tucked up for room and can only push this one back to the bowler.

Angled in again, fuller and on off, Dhruv Jurel presses forward and works it to point where the fielder makes a stop and prevents the single.

Sliding on with the arm, short and over middle, Shubman Gill pulls it to wide long on for a single.

Spears it in flat and short, outside off, Shubman Gill tries to make use of the width and goes for the cut but misses.

Masakadza darts it in from around the wicket, full and on off, knocked down to long off for a single by Jurel.

Change? Back to spin? Yes, Wellington Masakadza (1-0-4-0) is into the attack again. He replaces Tendai Chatara.

Three dots by Muzarabani to close out the over. On a hard length, on off, Shubman Gill stays leg side of the ball and dabs it square towards backward point. Jurel wants a single but Gill says 'No' and sends him back.

Pulls the length back and bowls it on off, Shubman Gill stays back in the crease and plays it to backward point.

Half a shout for LBW but there was inside edge involved. Fuller in length now, honing in at the stumps, Shubman Gill shapes up to play the flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads which saves the Indian skipper.

FOUR! Placed to perfection! Muzarabani hurls it on a back of a length, on middle, Shubman Gill rides the bounce nicely and employs the short-arm jab. Hits it to the left of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Leg bye! Too straight again by Muzarabani, on the pads, Dhruv Jurel misses the tickle as the ball rolls off his pads down to deep fine leg for a leg bye.

Muzarabani strays on the pads slightly, on a short of a good length, Shubman Gill nudges it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Well, that was a superb over from Tendai Chatara. A maiden over at this juncture is really impressive. But, Zimbabwe are still hanging by a thread here as they don't have enough runs on the board. A wicket or two here could tilt the game in their favor. But as of now, this is a cliffhanger. Also, no change, Blessing Muzarabani to continue.

A maiden from Tendai Chatara! Superb stuff from the experienced right-arm seamer. Offers a bit of width though on this occasion, short and on off, Dhruv Jurel stands tall and cuts it well but picks out the man at backward point.

Make that five dots in a row. Slanting in, on a back of a length, around off, Dhruv Jurel stabs it in front of backward point and sets off for the run but gets sent back by Gill. Rightly so, as the ball fielder was quick to get to the ball.

Much fuller this time and attacking the stumps, on off and middle, Dhruv Jurel is tentative to come on the front foot but does enough to keep it out on the off side. Four dots on the trot.

This nips away after pitching, on a hard length, on off, Dhruv Jurel hangs back and pushes it to out to cover.

Serves it on a back of a length, on off, Dhruv Jurel lets the ball come to him and pats it in front of backward point.

A big, big shout for LBW but the finger stays down this time! Sikandar Raza has a word with the bowler and the keeper and takes the review. Tendai Chatara goes wide of the crease on the over-the-wicket angle and angles it in, on a good length, on off, Dhruv Jurel plays for the angle and looks to work it away on the leg side. The ball holds its line and zips past the outside edge to ping Jurel high on the back pad. There is nothing on UltraEdge but there is that extra bounce on display yet again. The Ball Tracking shows the ball to be bouncing over the off peg and Zimbabwe lose their review.

Drags the length back now and gets a bit of extra bounce off the deck, on off, Shubman Gill adjusts well to the steep bounce and stabs it down the deck. Just the Powerplay Zimbabwe were after. At the end of 6 overs, India are 28/4.

FOUR! Glorious shot! Overpitched by Muzarabani, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill stays balanced in his crease and plays it right under his eyeliner. Clips it past mid-wicket and collects a boundary.

Streaky! That could have gone anywhere. Muzarabani lands it on a length, in the corridor of off, Shubman Gill pushes at the delivery with hard hands as he looks to play it straight. Gets a leading edge and the ball is in the air for a brief period but it evades the man at point. Couple of runs taken.

Serves it on a length, just outside off, Shubman Gill gets a good stride in and defends it out with a straight bat.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Shubman Gill hangs back and punches it to cover.

Given LBW but successfully overturned by Shubman Gill! A massive shout for LBW and up goes the finger! Shubman Gill has reviewed it straight away though! Did Gill get some bat on it or was it sliding down leg? There is no bat involved on UltraEdge. We move on to Ball Tracking now. The extra bounce saves the Indian skipper. The ball is going over the leg pole. What a time to get the review right. Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, on middle, Shubman Gill plays all around it as he looks to clip it away and gets pinged on the front pad.

Dhruv Jurel comes in at number 6.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! The Harare Sports Club erupts in joy and why not? Not a good shot selection from Rinku Singh and he too, bites the dust. India in serious trouble as Rinku Singh goes on a silver duck. Tendai Chatara bangs a short-pitched delivery around off, and gets a bit of an extra bounce on that one. Rinku Singh goes for a pull shot but gets a top edge behind the wickets. The ball spoons up in the air and Brian Bennett stationed at short fine takes a simple catch.

Hits the hard length, closer to the off-pole, Rinku Singh gets ahead and blocks it out to the off side.

Rinku Singh comes out to the middle with India in early trouble.

OUT! TAKEN! Zimbabwe is well and truly in this game now! Riyan Parag perishes for a low score on his debut! Tendai Chatara takes the pace off from the leather and lands it around off and full in length. It comes late onto the bat as it sticks to the surface a bit. Riyan Parag is early into his shot looking to clear the inner ring over mid off but mistimes it totally off the high end of the willow, and airs it straight to mid off where Brandon Mavuta the substitute fielder makes no mistake and catches it. India 3 down now. GAME ON!

On the pads, full in length, Shubman Gill gets in line and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Class, pure class! Just one bounce and into the fence! Hits the hard length does Chatara, Shubman Gill shimmies down the track and makes the ball full before lofting it nicely over the bowler's head for a boundary straight down the ground.

Length ball, outside off, Riyan Parag pushes at it to deep point for one.

Good length, angling in around off, Shubman Gill presses forward and hits it straight to mid on.

Length ball, in the channel of off, Shubman Gill gets beaten on the outside edge as the ball moves away.

Short and outside off, Riyan Parag hangs back and cuts it past backward point for a single and gets off the mark on his T20I debut.

Riyan Parag, on debut, makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! TAKEN! A brilliant catch from Innocent Kaia at first slip! The umpire will surely have a look at it but Ruturaj Gaikwad is walking already. Blessing Muzarabani bowls a beautiful outswinger, right into the corridor of uncertainty around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad ends up being double-minded about whether to play it on the front foot or the back foot and eventually, goes for a back foot punch but the length is very full for that shot. He ends up getting an outside edge. The ball carries towards the first slip where Innocent Kaia dives a bit to his left and takes a good low catch. After the replays roll in, the TV umpire confirms that Kaia has taken it cleanly just above the grass.

Hard length, slightly around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on his front foot and solidly drives it straight to mid off.

Bowls it outside off on a length, Shubman Gill drives it uppishly through the covers with no proper timing but runs for the third by the time the cover fielder chases it down and throws it back to the keeper.

Double change as Blessing Muzarabani comes into the attack, replacing Wellington Masakadza.

Swings it away from outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad drives off the front foot again but this time he doesn't beat Dion Myers at covers.

FOUR! Now that's a textbook cover drive! Bowls it full and way outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad plants his front foot ahead, caresses it off the middle of the bat and gets a boundary at deep cover.

Back of a length, outside off, Shubman Gill taps it through covers for one.

A direct hit and Ruturaj Gaikwad was gone! On the back of a length, closer to the body, Ruturaj Gaikwad is on the back foot and knocks it in front of mid on and hurries for a single. Johnathan Campbell at mid on is quick on the ball but misses the shy at the non-striker's end. Ruturaj Gaikwad slides the bat in and completes the single.

Outside off with a hint of an away movement, on a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad slashes it with a horizontal bat but finds the fielder at covers.

Starts off from over the wickets, gets a bit of an outswing on a fullish length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad firmly pushes it on the front foot towards deep cover for a brace and gets off the mark.

Just the one over for Brian Bennett in his opening spell. Time for pace as Tendai Chatara comes on to bowl.

Tossed up, full and keeps straight after pitching, Shubman Gill plants his front foot ahead and knocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Cuts away nicely and in the gap! Slightly short in length and just outside off, Shubman Gill gets the desired width and gets on the back foot before pinning the cut shot between deep third and backward point for a boundary.

Short in length and around off, Shubman Gill goes back and punches it straight to covers.

Full and on off, Shubman Gill knocks it to covers.

Pulls his length back, short and outside off, Shubman Gill cuts it well but finds Dion Myers at point.

'Round the stumps, Wellington Masakadza lands it on a length, outside off, Shubman Gill defends it to covers.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be the left-arm spin of Wellington Masakadza.

An appeal for LBW but turned down! A wicket-maiden over from Brian Bennett! Tossed up outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad shuffles and goes for a sweep shot but misses. He wears it high on the pad and the ball then rolls to the keeper.

Over the stumps, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes to defend it but gets a leading edge to point.

Ruturaj Gaikwad walks in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Abhishek Sharma goes for a rare duck, finding that lone fielder in the deep! Brian Bennett bowls a short-pitched delivery, on the middle, Abhishek Sharma stands tall and goes for a pull shot over the leg side but gets over-ambitious, and mistimes it up in the air, and straight towards deep mid-wicket where Wellington Masakadza runs a few yards forward and takes a brilliant catch. Not an ideal debut for any batter to get out on a duck! Abhishek Sharma is absolutely distraught and rightly so.

Flatter and on off, Abhishek Sharma waits for it and eases it in front of point.

A length ball, outside off, Abhishek Sharma gives him a charge and hits it to mid off.

Brian Bennett starts off from around the stumps with a slip in place. Lands it short and around off, Abhishek Sharma hangs back and punches it to covers.

FOUR! 12 runs off the final over, including 3 boundaries! Zimbabwe will take it. Avesh Khan bowls it on a good length, and outside off, Clive Madande shuffles a bit to the off side and swings across, getting a thickish outside edge that flies over short third for a boundary. Mukesh Kumar sprints to chase the ball but it has got enough gas to breach the fence.

A regular leg cutter outside off, Clive Madande throws everything at it but mistimes it off the inner half of the bat to long on and refuses the single.

FOUR! That's a fantastic shot! Avesh Khan looks for another yorker and misses by a couple of inches, and ends up serving a friendly half-volley around off, Clive Madande clears his front leg to access the shot and smashes it down the ground for a cracking boundary.

A good bumper from Avesh, on off and with pace off as well, Clive Madande swings but misses.

Follows up with a yorker outside off, Clive Madande looks to shovel it towards the off side but misses.

FOUR! These are handy runs for Zimbabwe and Clive Madande is putting a crucial cameo out there. Length ball, and well outside off, Clive Madande shuffles outside the off stump and scoops it over short fine for a boundary.

Who will bowl the final over? It will be Avesh Khan (3-0-17-1). Can Clive Madande take Zimbabwe past 110?

Hits the deck hard, on a good length, Tendai Chatara stays on the back foot and drops it to the pitch. Just 5 from the penultimate over.

Misses the yorker and serves almost a knee-length full toss, on the stumps, Clive Madande clears his front foot and spanks it down to long off for a single.

Short of a good length, and outside off, Clive Madande throws his bat at it and ends up chopping it to the right of point.

A vicious bouncer from Mukesh, angling on the bodyline, Clive Madande arches back and misses to execute the upper cut.

Back of a length, outside off, Clive Madande hits it through covers for a brace.

Finally, Zimbabwe crawl past the three figures! Ravi Bishnoi does well and stops a certain boundary there at point. A low full toss on off, Clive Madande slices it and the ball lands just short of Ravi Bishnoi at point who gets low to make a half-stop and it goes to the deep but saves two for his team.

A single to end the 18th. Takes the pace off from the ball, and pitches it outside off on a length, Clive Madande waits for it to arrive and guides it to the widish short third for a single.

Bangs it short again, slower this time, outside off, Clive Madande waits for it and climbs on the bounce but gets a toe-end of the willow to the off side. No run.

Short and outside off again, Clive Madande slashes at it, and gets off the thickish outer half of the bat towards deep third and scampers back for the second.

FOUR! That's a proper square cut from Clive Madande! Hits the deck hard, outside off, Clive Madande stands tall, transfers the weight on the back foot and cuts it crisply past backward point for a boundary.

Full and on the stumps, Clive Madande clears the front leg and drives it past covers for one.

Good length, outside off, Clive Madande opens the bat's face to guide it behind the square on the off side but misses as the ball keeps a tad bit low on the bounce.

In front of the stumps, full in length, Tendai Chatara lunges forward and defends it.

Much closer to the stumps now, on a fuller length, Tendai Chatara hits it to point.

Full, slow and outside off, Tendai Chatara gets a good stride ahead and eases it in front of cover.

Full around off, on a flatter trajectory. This is blocked on the front foot to short extra cover by Tendai Chatara.

Full outside off, Chatara plays forward and is beaten on the outside edge.

In the air but just a single! Good length, around off, Clive Madande swipes across aerially with no real timing and the ball lands ahead of deep square leg for a single.

Career-best figures for Ravi Bishnoi, 4-2-13-4! Full and on off, Tendai Chatara blocks it out again to point.

Are we surprised? A googly again, that skids through quickly on the leg stump, Tendai Chatara gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Good length, around off, Tendai Chatara blocks it.

Tendai Chatara is the last man in for Zimbabwe.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! This time Bishnoi gets it through the defences and gets his fourth wicket! Another googly on a fuller length, spinning into the right-hander from off, Blessing Muzarabani has no clue and just swooshes his bat across and misses to connect. The ball goes through the gap between the bat and the pad before breaking into the stumps.

An appeal for LBW and again, the finger goes up! Ravi Bishnoi is unplayable at the moment! Ravi Bishnoi lands this one outside off, it is a googly that turns sharply into the batter. Blessing Muzarabani is drawn forward and goes to defend it but misreads the wrong'un and the ball goes past the inside edge and pings his front pad. The impact, however, is outside the off stump and hence, Blessing Muzarabani survives.

Blessing Muzarabani comes in at number 9.

OUT! LBW! In front of the pegs! That looks pretty plumb in real-time, but Luke Jongwe has anyways challenged it! Review taken. Quicker googly from Bishnoi, on the middle and slightly turning back into the right-hander, Luke Jongwe takes a big stride forward and tries to ease it to the leg side but plays over the line and the ball pings his front pad. UltraEdge shows no bat is involved. Ball Tracking confirms that the impact is in the line of the stumps and the ball is hitting the wickets on the umpire's call. It is all going wrong for the hosts. Zimbabwe 8 down now.

Good length, pitched outside off, Clive Madande rocks back and punches it to the bowler.

Short and around off, Luke Jongwe goes on the back foot and pats it wide of point for a single.

No hat-trick for Washington Sundar! This goes straight on, fuller and on off, Luke Jongwe plays for the non-existent turn as he presses forward to defend and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Luke Jongwe is in now. He will face the hattrick ball from Ravi Bishnoi.

OUT! OUT! STUMPED! Two in two for Washington Sundar! Zimbabwe's inning is faling apart here. Sundar changes his angle of attack for the left-hander as he comes in from around the wicket now. Tosses it up nicely and gets the ball to dip in front of the batter. Wellington Masakadza lunges to smother the spin but fails to do so. The ball pitches and spins away to go past the outside edge. The keeper, Dhruv Jurel collects it cleanly and is quick to whip the bails off. Jurel is extremely confident and the third umpire is called into action. The replays confirm that Masakadza dragged his back leg outside the crease as he pressed forward and could not drag the foot back in time inside the popping crease. Hat-trick ball coming up.

Is he stumped out? Yup, clearly. Wellington Masakadza's back foot is out of the popping crease when the bails are broken by Dhruv Jurel. OUT.

Wellington Masakadza is in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! 100TH T20 WICKET FOR SUNDAR! This was pushed through by Sundar, short and on off, Dion Myers rocks back in his crease and shapes to pull it away with the turn. This goes straight on and pops up a bit off the deck too. Myers ends up chipping it tamely back to Washington Sundar makes no mistake. Sundar gets into the wickets' column now.

At 95 kph, on a nagging length, on off, Dion Myers slaps it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Sliding on, full and on off, Clive Madande pushes it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

Floats it up does Bishnoi, on off, Clive Madande gets a good stride in and drives it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs. Madande wanted the third run but Myers was in no mood to return.

Much fuller this time and quicker too, on off, Dion Myers hangs back to a delivery he should have played off the front foot. Dabs it in front of short third for one.

Drifting in, full and on middle, Clive Madande clips it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

A googly on offer this time, on a length on the middle stump, Myers punches it to long on for a run.

WIDE! Another mix-up but no harm this time! Ravi Bishnoi sprays it down the leg side, Dion Myers misses to sweep it away and the keeper too, fails to collect it cleanly and the ball deflects off his gloves towards the point region. Clive Madande is already halfway trying to steal single but Dion Myers says 'No'. Madande obeys and retreats back to the non-striker's end. The fielder at point has a shy at the non-striker's end as well.

FOUR! Nice shot! Full and around off, Dion Myers plants his front leg ahead and drives it past the cover-point gap for a boundary.

Full and turning towards the off-pole, Clive Madande goes back and across, and punches it back to the bowler.

Short and outside off, Myers cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Good length outside off, Dion Myers batter goes for a back foot cut but misses.

Quicker with the arm, on the middle, Clive Madande knocks it down to long on for a single.

Loops it on off, full in length, Clive Madande strides out and blocks it to the off side.

Short and angling in, on leg, Dion Myers tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! RUN OUT! A massive mix-up in the middle and this is catastrophic for Zimbabwe! Avesh lands it on a back of a length, on off, Johnathan Campbell hops and taps it in front of the backward point region and calls his partner for a single. He says 'no' but it is too late for Dion Myers to retreat. Myers is at the batting end by then and Washington Sundar calmly collects and lobs it towards the bowler who does the rest. The third umpire is called into action to check who will be dismissed here. The replays show that Dion Myers, who ran towards the batting end had crossed Campbell and therefore, it will be Campbell who has been adjudged out. Clive Madande is the new batter in for Zimbabwe!

Courting chaos in the middle! A suicidal run out just when Zimbabwe needed a good resilient partnership. Now the question is which batter has to go as both of them were at the non-striker's end. After confirming through the replays, the TV umpire affirms that it is Johnathan Campbell who has to depart.

Johnathan Campbell is the new man in at number 6 for Zimbabwe.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Sikandar Raza was itching to take Avesh Khan on and he holes out now. A good catch by Ravi Bishnoi and this is a big blow to the hosts. Avesh lands it on a short of a good length, around off, Sikandar Raza stays in the crease and shapes up to go downtown. There's that extra bounce again which results in the ball hitting the splice of Raza's bat and it goes only as far as long on. Ravi Bishnoi runs in off ropes to his right and dives in front to take a safe catch.

Avesh pulls his length back and gets a bit of extra bounce off the surface, on off, Sikandar Raza waits to steer it down to deep third but fails to make any connection as the ball rises and beats the bat.

Swing and a miss! Fuller in length, in the channel on off, Sikandar Raza swings to go back over the bowler's head but connects with thin air.

Avesh attempts the slower delivery but ends up serving a low full toss, outside off, Sikandar Raza is unable to take full toll of it. Raza reaches out and knocks it to mid off.

At 137 kph, on off, on a good length, Dion Myers taps it in front of mid on and calls Raza through for a single.

A bit of extra bounce on this one, short and around off, Dion Myers adjusts well and runs it down to the left of short third where Ravi Bishnoi makes a tumbling stop and cuts it off. They cross.

Fires it in, on off, on a length, Dion Myers defends it out with a straight bat.

Drops it short again, turning in, on middle and leg, Dion Myers hangs back and pulls it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Sees the batter make room and follows him does Sundar, on a nagging length, Dion Myers pushes it from the crease to mid-wicket.

Pushes it through, flatter and shorter, outside off, Dion Myers makes room for the cut but gets beaten for pace there.

Starts off on a nagging length, turning in, on middle, Sikandar Raza hops and steers it in front of short third for a single.

Washington Sundar has now been introduced into the attack now.

Swing and a miss! Outside off on almost a shortish length, Dion Myers slashes hard at it but only manages to connect thin air. Halfway done, Zimbabwe are 69/3.

Short in length and on the top of the middle, Sikandar Raza transfers the weight on the back foot reading the length well, and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length, outside off, Dion Myers pushes it towards backward point for a single.

Follows up with a short-pitched delivery outside off, Sikandar Raza slashes it to mid off for a quick single.

SIX! Oh, that was begging to be hit, quite literally! First six of the day! Avesh Khan lands it right underneath the bat, on the stumps line, Sikandar Raza presents the full face of the bat and thumps it downtown with a good extension of arms for a six.

Starts off from over the stumps, on a length and on the stumps, Sikandar Raza blocks it to mid-wicket.

Avesh Khan comes on to bowl now.

Bowls it flat and on middle, Dion Myers sweeps it with no real timing towards deep fine and gets two to end the over.

Darts it in, short and on middle, Dion Myers rocks back and knocks it back to Abhishek.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Dion Myers presses forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Short and around leg, Sikandar Raza pushes it to long on for one.

Short in length, around off, Dion Myers mistimes his pull shot towards mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Streaky but it races away! Tossed up, full and outside off, Dion Myers goes for an expansive cover drive but is a bit early on his shot and slices off the thickish outside edge towards deep third for a boundary.

Flatter and quicker outside off, Dion Myers hangs back and cuts it to deep point for one.

Dion Myers is the new man in.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Ravi Bishnoi is not an easy man to sweep! Wessly Madhevere was anyway playing with fire here trying to connect that sweep shot. But, he couldn't, even once. Bowls it on a length, and pitches it full, Wessly Madhevere is again down on a knee trying to play that premeditated sweep shot. Plays down the wrong line again and the ball this time crashes into the stumps. Ravi Bishnoi strikes and Zimbabwe are three down now.

Flighted delivery around off, Madhevere paddles it in the fine leg region for a brace.

Pushes it through, shorter and quicker, on middle and leg, Wessly Madhevere looks to work it away on the leg side but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the back pad.

Another appeal but this is only an excited one rather than a confident one. Flighted one around leg, full in length, Wessly Madhevere again goes for a risky sweep shot and misses and wears on the front pad. But it visibly looks like it is sliding down the leg side. The umpire thinks likewise as well.

Ravi Bishnoi is really confident but the umpire says 'No'. After a long chat, Shubman Gill opts for a review for caught behind. Or is it for stumping? Yes, it is for the stumping. Ravi Bishnoi slides it on the leg stump line and keeps it full and quick, Wessly Madhevere premeditates the sweep shot but the length is not ideal to play that shot and he misses. Dhruv Jurel collects the ball and flashes off the bails in a jiffy. The side on replay shows that Wessly Madhevere's foot is well inside the popping crease. NOT OUT appears on the giant screen.

On a flatter trajectory by Abhishek, quicker too, on off, Wessly Madhevere goes back and cuts it to backward point for a single to retain the strike.

Slightly pulls his length back, on off, Sikandar Raza dabs it to short third for one.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Abhishek serves an arm-ball, but full and in front of the pegs, Sikandar Raza sits on his knee and sweeps it past backward square leg for a boundary.

Quicker and fuller on off, turning a shade away, Sikandar Raza aborts from the shot and lets it go.

Good proactive running there! Tossed up around off, Sikandar Raza gets low and tickles it to the deep fine region and scampers back for the double.

Around the stumps, length ball turning away from the right-hander, Wessly Madhevere sees it closely and cuts it to cover-point for one.

It will be spin from both ends as one of the three debutants for India, Abhishek Sharma comes on to bowl.

Completely deceived him there! Another deceptive googly, turning in from outside off, and pitching on the fuller length, Sikandar Raza anticipates the ball to turn away but fails to read the googly off Bishnoi's hand, goes for a drive through the covers and the ball catches the inside edge, passes close to the leg stump and towards short fine.

Flattens his trajectory this time, on the stumps, Sikandar Raza reads it well and punches it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Slides through to the leg stump line, on a length, Sikandar Raza misses to flick and wears on the front thigh pad and then to the strip.

This one stays very low, on the pads, full in length, Sikandar Raza brings his bat down in time and blocks it to the leg side.

Tossed up a bit outside off, 92 kph, Raza presses forward to defend it and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

The captain of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza walks in now.

OUT! BOWLED! Oh, what happened here? Dhruv Jurel is very convinced that Brian Bennett is gone and the bail has come off the stumps. Ravi Bishnoi starts off with a wrong'un, pitching on the length and turning into the off-pole from outside off, Brian Bennett plays down the wrong line and the ball sneaks past his inside edge as he is beaten all ends up. UltraEdge shows there's no nick on it when the ball passes the bat. The replays come up with multiple angles and confirm that the bail has been dislodged from the off stump. And the on-field umpire reverses the decision to OUT.

Will Mukesh Kumar too get his third over? Nope, spin has been introduced now. Ravi Bishnoi replaces Mukesh.

FOUR! Lucky boundary but they all count! Angling away, on a short of a length, outside off, Wessly Madhevere leaves nothing in the tank and swings to go back over the bowler's head. Gets an outside edge that races well wide of deep third for four more runs. An over where Khaleel Ahmed should have had a wicket, has instead gone for 17 runs.

FOUR! Dispatched! Too short and on off, Wessly Madhevere stands tall and flat bats this disdainfully over wide mid on for a cracking boundary.

Short and going across the batter, on off, Wessly Madhevere tries to latch onto the width but misses out on the connection this time as the ball sails over his bat.

Slips it on a length, on middle, Brian Bennett whips it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

PUT DOWN! Avesh Khan has made an absolute meal of it! Brian Bennett continues to ride his luck. Khaleel serves it on a hard length this time, on off, Brian Bennett hangs on the back foot and stays leg side of the ball to go up and over point. Gets it off the outer half of the bat and this goes straight to the man at deep backward point. Avesh Khan is looking into the sun but he has his shades on. Never looked comfortable under the skier and in the end, does not even manage to lay a hand on it. To rub salt into the wounds, the ball trickles behind for a boundary.

FOUR! Streaky but Brian Bennett will take it! Khaleel angles it across from over the wicket, on a length, outside off, Brian Bennett goes deep in his crease and throws the kitchen sink at it. Gets an outside edge that flies over the leaping first slip fielder for a boundary.

Leg bye! Angles it in now does Mukesh, on middle and leg, on a short of a length, Brian Bennett clears his front leg and swings to go big on the leg side. Fails to get any bat on it but crosses over quickly as the ball rolls off his pads on the leg side.

At 134 kph, on a back of a length, outside off, Brian Bennett stays leg side of the ball and flays at the delivery but gets beaten as the ball sneaks under the horizontal bat.

A hint of inward movement off the deck, on a good length, on the off pole, Wessly Madhevere lets the ball come to him and dabs it in front of backward point for a well-judged single.

Misfield! Slanting in, on a short of a good length, on middle, Brian Bennett hops back and nudges it in front of mid-wicket where Abhishek Sharma fumbles and concedes a single.

Quick single taken! Length delivery, on off, Wessly Madhevere gets half-forward and drives it on the up in front of Shubman Gill at mid off for a run.

Halt! Oopsie! That must have hurt him! Wessly Madhevere has taken a hit right on his helmet grill in the front. A mandatory concussion check is to follow. The physio rushes out to the middle in no time. Wessly Madhevere is getting hydrated as well. Also, Washington Sundar is seen warming up near the ropes. Is he gonna be the next one to bowl? Looks like Madhevere is good to continue now, yes pretty much so.

Ouch, Wessly Madhevere has copped it flush on the grill of the helmet! Madhevere looks rattled by the blow and the mandatory concussion check will follow now. This was a well-directed bumper by Mukesh Kumar, aimed at the helmet of the batter, Wessly Madhevere shaped up for the pull but got beaten for pace there and the ball took off a bit to hit him bang on the helmet.

Change? Nope, Mukesh Kumar (1-0-8-1) to continue.

Hurls it on a hard length and tucks the batter up for room, on middle, Brian Bennett stays back and stabs it down on the off side.

Play and a miss! Fuller in length and angling across the batter, Brian Bennett throws his hands at the delivery while staying rooted in the crease and connects with thin air.

FOUR! Up and over! Short and wide on off, Brian Bennett gets the width he needs and he does not miss out. Rises the bounce by getting on his toes and slaps it over point for a boundary.

A mix-up but no harm done! Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Wessly Madhevere turns it to the left of mid-wicket where Abhishek Sharma dives to cut it off. The batters stutter for the single but eventually cross over.

Banged into the deck by Khaleel and outside off, Wessly Madhevere swivels in the crease for the pull but misses out as the ball sneaks under the bat.

Going across the batter, on a length, on off, Wessly Madhevere pushes it from the crease towards cover.

EDGED AND FOUR! Just over! Mukesh goes into the wicket, on off, Brian Bennett hangs back and pokes at the delivery in front of his body. Gets an outside edge that flies towards the second slip but luckily for Brian, the ball evades a leaping Ruturaj Gaikwad and races away for a four.

So nearly dragged it back onto his stumps there did Brian Bennett! Mukesh delivers it full and just outside off, not wide enough for Brian Bennett to free his arms for the drive. Gets an inside edge but gets lucky there as the ball goes back onto the pads and not back onto the stumps.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle, Brian Bennett gets on his toes and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Keeps it full but the line is much straighter this time, shaping in, on middle, Brian Bennett gets behind the line of the ball and defends it out to the right of the bowler.

FOUR! Width on offer and Brian Bennett cashes in! Mukesh errs in line as he bowls it too wide on off, full as well, Brian Bennett stays rooted in his crease and extends his hands to drive it past point for a boundary.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Perfect start for Mukesh Kumar! Strikes with his first delivery and Innocent Kaia falls for a golden duck. Mukesh hurls it full in length from over the wicket, in the corridor of off, Innocent Kaia goes for the drive away from the body but there is no foot movement whatsoever. Pays the ultimate price as the ball nips back in enough to catch the inside edge and it goes on to uproot the leg pole. Couldn't be a better start for Mukesh Kumar.

Brian Bennett is in at number 3.

And again! Khaleel bangs it on a hard length and angles it away from the right-hander, outside off, Wessly Madhevere fiddles at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Beaten! Good length delivery pushed across, Wessly Madhevere pushes at it without moving his feat at all, plays away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Serves it on a hard length, on off, Wessly Madhevere pats it in front of cover and looks for a single but gets sent back by his partner and rightly so.

Edgy! In the channel on off, on a hard length, has a feel for the delivery away from his body. Gets a thickish outside edge that races down to deep third where Mukesh Kumar sprints to his left and makes the stop with his feet. Two runs taken.

Khaleel pulls his length back and angles the ball across the right-hander, outside off, Wessly Madhevere watchfully lets it go through to the keeper.

Lovely start to the game for Wessly Madhevere and Zimbabwe! Khaleel steams in from over the wicket and pitches it right up, full and around off, springs on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat. Drives it to the right of mid off for the first boundary of the game.

Done with the anthems and the pre-match formalities. It is now time for the action to commence at the Harare Sports Club. Well, guess what, it is winter in this South African nation, but the sun is shining to its full glory with the temperature being in the mid-20s. Quite a warm winter, isn't it? Jokes apart, the two umpires make their way out to the middle. The Indian players can be seen having the last-minute huddle talk before dispersing out to the field. And again, just a reminder, India is striding out with three debutants - Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Out walk the two Zimbabwean openers, Wessly Madhevere along with Innocent Kaia. The talented left-arm pacer, Khaleel Ahmed has the new ball and will begin the proceedings for India with two slips in place. And, here we go...

Well, just a few moments away from this first T20I to begin! But before that, the two sets of players make their way out with the match officials for their respective national anthems. It will be the Indian national anthem first, followed by that of Zimbabwe.

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo is pitchside. He begins by saying that this is a nice firm surface with a good covering of green grass. Looking at the surface, he mentions it is a good batting track and won't change throughout the 40 overs. Ends up saying that 150-160 would be a good score here.

The Zimbabwean skipper, Sikandar Raza says that he does not mind batting first. Feels that the weather has improved over the past week and feels that there won't be moisture. States that the wicket looks good to bat on. Tells that he is very excited to lead a young side and hopes that the youngsters can keep the flag flying high. Further says that it is a moment of pride for him to be leading the nation. Expects the young guys to come out and put up a good fight. Informs that Richard Ngarava misses out but hopes that the left-arm seamer is fit for the remainder of the series. Also says that Craig Ervine has rested for this series but has a role to play going ahead.

Shubman Gill, the captain of India, says it looks like a good surface and reckons it won't change much throughout. Says that they want to know the score they are chasing. Further tells that you always have certain expectations from yourself. Informs that Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel are making their debuts.

India (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Abhishek Sharma (On debut), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag (On debut), Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (WK) (On debut), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (C), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (WK), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in the favour of Shubman Gill. India have opted to BOWL first.

As they say, 'The end is just the beginning' and it couldn't be more true for India, who will embark on a new era with the T20I retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. A young Indian side, featuring players rewarded for their performances in the Indian T20 League, has descended upon the African nation, with Shubman Gill leading the pack. As confirmed by Gill in the pre-match press conference, Abhishek Sharma is set to make his debut, and it will be just the first of many debuts India plan to hand out over the course of the five games. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Having missed out on qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe's journey of revival kicks off right here, right now. What better way to reignite their cricketing fire than by facing the reigning champions? Under the new leadership of head coach Justin Sammons, Zimbabwe bring a fresh blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience to the field. With the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza continuing to be at the helm, his role is crucial. Raza's prowess with both bat and ball will be the cornerstone of Zimbabwe's challenge.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks from Harare where Zimbabwe and India square off in the opening game of the five-match T20I series. More often than not, a winning start sets the tone for the rest of the series, and both teams would want to hit the ground running. Harare Sports Club is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to host the first T20I of the year. It will be interesting to see how the surface plays out compared to last year.

... MATCH DAY ...

While one nation celebrates its T20 World Cup victory, the other laments missing out on the 20-team showpiece event. This is the story of India and Zimbabwe, who are set to clash in a five-match T20I series at Harare Sports Club. After failing to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe are in a transition phase and are looking to start afresh under newly appointed head coach Justin Sammons. Led by Sikandar Raza, the squad features a blend of youth and experience. The squad announcement was headlined by the inclusion of Belgium-born right-handed batter Antum Naqvi, who made waves earlier in the year by becoming the first player to score a triple-century in Zimbabwe's domestic arena. Although his participation is pending confirmation of his citizenship status, he is certainly one to watch out for. Joining him in the batting department are Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Zimbabwe's roster includes talented all-rounders like Brian Bennett, Faraz Akram, and Johnathan Campbell, who all retained their places from the last T20I series against Bangladesh. The pace attack features familiar names such as Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe, and Tendai Chatara. Wellington Masakadza and captain Raza will lead the spin attack, supported by Brandon Mavuta. Fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup, India have sent a young brigade to the African nation with Shubman Gill at the helm. With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announcing their T20I retirements, this series marks the start of a new era in the format for the reigning champions. Players who did well for their respective franchises in the 2024 Indian T20 League have been rewarded while Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, part of the World Cup-winning squad also make the cut. However, due to the delay in departing from the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Beryl, the trio will miss the first couple of T20Is. Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been named as their replacements. Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag, two batters who had a stellar run at the Indian T20 League have received their maiden T20I call up as has Dhruv Jurel. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad form the crux of the Indian batting unit with Rinku Singh taking on the finisher role. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar will shoulder the spin-bowling duties with the latter more than capable of contributing with the bat. Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Tushar Deshpande make up the pace battery for the visitors, making for a well-balanced side on paper. It's all set to be an exciting series between two sides with divergent fortunes over the past year. Will India draw first blood, or will Zimbabwe spring a surprise? We shall find out.