Shubman Gill Guides India to 23-Run Victory Over Zimbabwe in Third T20I, Secures 2-1 Series Lead

New Delhi: India skipper Shubman Gill got back in touch as the batter smashed a half-century which helped the Indian team  to beat hosts by a margin of 23 runs on Wednesday in the third T20I. Gill amassed 66 runs off 49 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes, as India posted 182-4 in 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad also played a decent knock of 49 off 28 deliveries.

In the second innings, Zimbabwe finished with 159-6 as off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar took 3-15 in four overs. Dion Myers top scored for the hosts with his counter attacking innings of unbeaten 65 off 49 deliveries, consisting seven fours and a six.

India takes 2-1 lead in the five-match series. secured 100-Run Victory in Second T20I after 13-run loss in opener.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube, key from T20 World Cup win, boost India.

Gill and Jaiswal open as Abhishek Sharma, centurion in the last game, shifts to No. 3 in batting order.

Gill and Jaiswal forged a 67-run partnership off 50 balls for the first wicket. Jaiswal, absent from the World Cup squad, returned to India’s XI with a brisk 36 off 27 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza struck twice in quick succession, first dismissing Jaiswal and then Sharma for 10.

Batting at number four, Gaikwad then combined with Gill for a 72-run stand off 44 balls for the third wicket. Gill, achieving his highest score of the series, made 50 off 36 balls, anchoring the Indian innings.

Gill departed in the 18th over while trying to accelerate as India crossed 150. Gaikwad and Sanju Samson (12 not out) then added 24 runs off 11 balls to propel the score past 180.

Chasing 183, Zimbabwe faced an early setback as pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan claimed three wickets between them.

Khan struck twice in quick succession, reducing the hosts to 19-3 in 3.1 overs. He finished with figures of 2-39 from four overs.

Washington Sundar then made crucial breakthroughs in the middle order, dismissing Raza (15) and Jonathan Campbell (1), leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 39-5 after seven overs.

Despite the early collapse, Zimbabwe staged a decent recovery, courtesy of a 77-run partnership off 57 balls between Myers and Clive Madande, who scored 37 off 26 balls.

Sundar once again intervened with a breakthrough, tilting the match firmly in India’s favor. Myers and Wellington Masakadza (18 not out) then added 43 runs off just 21 balls to narrow the margin of defeat.

“It feels amazing to play again for the country,” Sundar said. “It was definitely a better batting wicket than the previous two games, so we executed our plans well to restrict them. Hopefully we can seal the series on Saturday.”

Shubman Gill praised efforts made by all the players which resulted in team’s victory.

“Definitely it feels very good, it was a crucial game for us, the way we started with the bat and ball was good,” said Shubman.

Shubman highlighted that the wicket was double paced right from the start and it was difficult to pick the balls

“The wicket was a bit double-paced, the odd ball was gripping and it was not easy to hit the length balls, that’s what we discussed with our bowlers. We know that if there is something in the wicket, it will be more with the new ball, and as the ball gets old it’s a bit easier to score. Everyone is contributing and that’s a good sign,” he added.

The final two T20s will be played on Saturday and Sunday.