Raza and Chatara star as Zimbabwe upset India in low-scorer

Zimbabwe beat India by 13 runs in the first five-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The hosts bowled out Shubman Gill-led side on 102 after posting 115/9.

But wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande held the fort with a fine cameo of 29 not out from 25 balls (4x4) with an unbroken 25-run last wicket stand with Tendai Chatara.

The Men in Blue lost 4 wickets during the powerplay, with Abhishek Sharma (0), Ruturaj Gaikwad (7), Riyan Parag (2), and Rinku Singh (0) all dismissed.

Dhruv Jurel was out for 7, while captain Shubman Gill, the only batter showing resistance, fell for 31, with India failing to reach even 50 runs on the scoreboard.

Avesh Khan managed 16 runs before being dismissed, leaving India 8 down, with Ravi Bishnoi also falling shortly after Avesh. Washington Sundar played a lone hand, scoring 27 off 34 balls, while Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza starred with 3 wickets.

Zimbabwe have now beaten India three times in T20Is, the same as Pakistan. 

Earlier, India restricted Zimbabwe to 115 for nine in the first T20I of the five-match series.

Bishnoi (4/13) received good support from off-spinner Washington Sundar (2/11) as Zimbabwe struggled to build any significant partnerships after being asked to bat on a pitch that offered considerable bounce and carry.

They crawled to 74 for three from there, courtesy of the patience of skipper Sikandar Raza (17, 19b) but lost their way from that point, losing six wickets for 41 runs.

The second match of the series will be held on Sunday at the same venue.

AFP adds: 

India captain Shubman Gill said his much-changed team let themselves down in the field and with the bat when they crashed to a shock 13-run defeat to Zimbabwe since winning the World Cup just a week ago.

The hosts struggled to 115 for nine after being sent in to bat at the Harare Sports Club, with leg-spin and googly bowler Ravi Bishnoi taking a career-best four for 13.

But India, fielding a youthful team that did not include any of the side that won the World Cup in Barbados last Saturday, were bowled out for 102 in reply.

The loss ended a streak of 12 successive T20I wins by India.

"We bowled pretty well but we let ourselves down in the field. Everyone looked a bit rusty," said Gill at the post-match presentation.

"We spoke about taking time and enjoying our batting but it didn't pan out that way."

India lost their first four wickets for 22 runs inside the first four overs, with new caps Abhishek Sharma (0) and Riyan Parag (2) among the failures.

It became 43 for five when Dhruv Jarel was caught at cover and India's hopes effectively ended when Gill was sixth out, bowled by opposite number Sikander Raza hitting across the line for 31 with the total on 47.

"It would have been best for us if I stayed to the end," said Gill. "I was very disappointed with the way I got out."

Off-spinner Raza, who took three for 25 and was named man of the match, said he was happy with the win but disappointed about his team's batting.

"This isn't a wicket where you get bowled out for 115. Credit to the bowlers of both sides but clearly an indication we need to up our skills. Our catching and ground fielding was amazing."

In a low-scoring match, an unbeaten last wicket stand of 25 between Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Clive Madande (29 not out) and Tendai Chatara, who faced nine balls but did not score a run, proved crucial.

Chatara then played a key role with his fast bowling, taking three for 16, including two of the four wickets that fell in the first five overs of India's innings.

Washington Sundar gave India hope after they lost their ninth wicket with the total on 86.

Sundar, who earlier took two for 11 in four overs of off-spin bowling, made 27 before he was last man out.