India secure first T20I series under Shreyas Iyer after 90-run rout of Zimbabwe in 2nd T20I

After suffering shock series defeats to Ireland and England, India finally tasted their first victory in a T20I assignment under the leadership of new captain Shreyas Iyer, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series against Zimbabwe. The Men in Blue hammered Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second T20I on Saturday, July 25 at Harare Sports Club, Harare to seal the series.

After being put in to bat first, India posted a monumental score of 219/5 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a marvellous innings from Ishan Kishan. Apart from him, Tilak Varma (60* off 29) also made a valuable contribution with his quick-fire innings. In reply, Zimbabwe’s chase could never get going as they were bundled out for 129 in 17.5 overs.

Abhishek Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for India with a three-wicket haul, while Prince Yadav (2/10, 1.2 overs) and Yash Thakur (2/30) also scalped two wickets each. As a result, India registered a comfortable series win, with their second biggest margin of victory against Zimbabwe.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Ishan Kishan was adjudged Player of the Match for his magnificent innings of 81 off 44 balls. He brought up his 12^th T20I half-century off 31 deliveries, stitching game-changing partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma. Kishan smashed nine fours and two sixes in his innings and was a deserving winner of the Player of the Match award.

Turning Point

After losing both openers, Abhishek Sharma (8 off 8) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (20 off 9) cheaply inside the first three overs. Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer (25 off 20) stabilised the innings with their 66-run stand off 42 deliveries for the third wicket.

Following Iyer’s dismissal against Brian Bennett, Kishan further got involved in a 94-run stand for the fourth wicket off 43 balls alongside Tilak Varma, which catapulted India’s score beyond 200 and got it out of Zimbabwe's reach.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Shreyas Iyer (India): 

I feel excited. Comprehensive win, brilliant contribution from each and everyone. Started from batting, I think the way Ishan and Tilak played was outstanding. I thought 180-200 would be par score but we ended up getting 220 which was the icing on the cake. That's how you have to approach the game, it's about the attitude. Be in the present and try to execute. One of our players got injured unfortunately so you might see a few changes tomorrow.

Losing Captain, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): 

I thought the boys bowled well in patches, credit to India. Some the shots, some the skill from the Indians were something to admire. Our fielding could have been better. Ishan has done that quite regularly and consistently as well and he is going through that patch as well. Certainly something to learn from and hopefully it will help us become better. I as a captain have been letting the team down with the bat. I will try my best in the next game.