Cricket: India leave Zimbabwe triumphant after early wobble

India won their fifth and final T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday in Harare, marking four straight wins after an early loss to the associate nation.

Put into bat first, India posted a middling total of 167/6, thanks to an anchoring half-century by Sanju Samson.

The Indian bowlers had no issues defending the score, rolling the home side for 125 runs in the space of 18.3 overs.

The win puts a triumphant end to a series that began with embarrassment.

Cricket bookmakers expected the newly crowned T20I champions to whitewash Zimbabwe, yet the visitors dropped game one in a shock defeat.

Dube impresses with the ball

With India heading to Sri Lanka next for a white-ball series in late July, the world champions have reason to be pleased with their tour of Zimbabwe, despite the loss.

Shivam Dube emerged as a genuine all-round option, filling a role India have been looking to develop for some time.

The 31-year-old has long been known as a big hitter, but on Sunday he excelled with the ball too.

“It’s always a special thing for me as an allrounder to contribute in both the departments, bat and ball,” explained Dube, who was awarded player of the match.

“So, it felt really good today to take some wickets.”

Dube bowled four overs at an economy rate of 6.25. He also claimed the scalps of the dangerous Dion Myers and Johnathan Campbell.

Gill rises to captaincy

With India’s first-choice team rested for this tour, Shubman Gill gained some invaluable experience as captain.

“It is something that I definitely enjoy,” he shared after the 4-1 series win was completed.

“I think it brings out the best in me when I am out there because I look to be involved in the game.

“It is something that really brings out the side of me which I enjoy being on the field.”

Gill scored two half-centuries in the series, more than he had made in all of his T20I career until now.

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