IND vs ZIM Highlights: Mukesh Kumar stars as India beat Zimbabwe by 42 runs in 5th T20I, clinch five-match series 4-1

Right then, that’s a wrap for this game as India continued to assert their dominance in T20I Cricket, sealing the series with a commanding 4-1 victory. Despite the loss, Zimbabwe displayed some commendable cricket and have plenty of positives to take forward. Up next, India will travel to Sri Lanka for an exciting 3-match T20I series followed by a 3-match ODI series. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will gear up for a one-off Test against Ireland later this month. The cricketing action doesn’t stop here! Thrilling games are happening around the globe and you can stay updated by switching tabs for live scores and all the action. Until next time, cheers and goodbye!

And then the Indian skipper, Shubman Gill, strides confidently to collect the trophy, greeted by thunderous cheers from his exuberant young teammates. They stand proudly behind a board emblazoned with the word ‘CHAMPIONS’. Gill joins his team for a few celebratory pictures, capturing a moment destined for the frame. It’s a snapshot of India’s future cricket stars, basking in their well-deserved victory.

Shubman Gill, the skipper of India says that it was an excellent series. Adds that they showed great determination after losing the first game. Tells that some of the players didn’t have enough practice and travelled before the first game, but he is happy with how they adapted to the conditions. Says that he will now shift his focus to the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

Sikandar Raza, the skipper of Zimbabwe says that Blessing bowled really well the whole series. Adds that with the bat they haven’t had the best of series but the bowling is coming up. Further adds that fielding will be an aspect they will need to take care of which is a certain controllable. Appreciates Richie and says he unfortunately missed out but both he and Blessing have been his go-to players in the past year or so. Talks about his past injury and says he needs to go back and play domestic cricket and get back to a hundred percent before making it to the red-ball side. 

Washington Sundar is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his 8 wickets with good economy. He says that he is very happy with the win. Adds that the conditions were similar to South Africa with the extra bounce, and playing five matches gave them enough time to get instructions about the pitch. Mentions that there are a lot of learnings as well from this series and they want to carry that forward into the next series.

Shivam Dube is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding knock of 26 off 12 balls and his 2 wickets in the game. He says it has always been a special thing for him to perform with both bat and ball for the side. Adds that one good shot changes the mindset and he knew it was coming. Says it was nice to be playing in Zimbabwe for the first time and with the big boundaries it was good to play the way he did. 

It’s time for the Presentation Ceremony.. 

Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma are down for a chat. Parag says that it feels great to win the series. Adds that everyone woke up after the first game and they showed how clinical they can be. Says that the wicket was a bit slow in the middle overs and he and Samson just tried to build up a partnership. Mentions that it does not feel like a big transition as Gill has the leadership abilities and they are playing together from the U-19 level. Abhishek Sharma says that the good thing was they did not have much time to think about the first game and that helped. Adds that he enjoyed the series and says both of them were talking long ago that they would make their India debut together and it actually happened. Tells that he has been working on his bowling and is happy to contribute with the ball. Mentions that a few of the boys watched the World Championship of Legends final last night, and congratulates his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, and the whole Indian team for lifting the trophy, and that too against Pakistan which makes it even sweeter.

Earlier in the game, Sikandar Raza and his team started with a bang, taking the crucial wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the very first over. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma looked to steady the ship and managed to do so briefly before both were dismissed within the Powerplay. Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson then built a solid 65-run partnership but got out just as they were shifting gears to accelerate the scoring. Shivam Dube provided a vital cameo, pushing India’s total to a competitive 167 runs. Sanju Samson remained the pick of the players for India with the bat for his 58 off 45 balls. For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava bowled impressively, taking two and one wickets respectively.

Chasing a target of 168, Zimbabwe needed a strong start but faltered early, losing two quick wickets within the first three overs. Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers weathered a couple of challenging overs and then targeted the spinners effectively, showcasing a solid counterattack to reach 47/2 by the end of the Powerplay, shifting the momentum back into balance. The duo forged a 44-run partnership before it was broken by a spinner. Dion Myers continued scoring briskly but eventually lost his wicket. Things deteriorated rapidly for Zimbabwe as they lost three more wickets in quick succession. Faraz Akram managed to hit a few impressive boundaries, but the asking rate was too high for the side to make a comeback, ultimately falling short by 42 runs. Despite the series loss, Zimbabwe have plenty of positives to carry forward.

India’s bowlers have delivered an extraordinary performance, bundling Zimbabwe up for a mere 125 runs and winning the game by a substantial 42-run margin to secure a dominant 4-1 series victory. India, after a strong batting display, started perfectly with Mukesh Kumar repeatedly beating the opener’s bat before dismissing the in-form Wessly Madhevere in the first over. In his next over, Mukesh struck again, removing Brian Bennett and putting India firmly ahead in the game. Although a resilient counter-attacking third-wicket partnership began to take shape, Washington Sundar provided a crucial breakthrough that eased India’s growing concerns. Shivam Dube soon joined the fray, contributing with two vital wickets and a splendid runout. India managed to take 4 wickets for just 9 runs, ensuring there was no chance for a Zimbabwean comeback. The spinners returned strongly, securing breakthroughs in the middle overs that changed the course of the game. Mukesh Kumar stood out with his career-best figures of 4 for 22 runs while Shivam Dube took two wickets. Abhishek Sharma, Washington Sundar and Tushar Deshpande claimed one apiece. This clinical comeback from India, after losing the first game, saw them win the next four consecutively, sealing a dominant series victory.

Mukesh Kumar to Richard Ngarava, OUT! CASTLED! Mukesh Kumar wraps things up here! He gets his fourth wicket and this is now his best career figures in T20Is. He goes full and straight from around the wicket, angling in, Richard Ngarava backs away and has a swing through the line but misses it completely as the middle stump goes out of the ground. INDIA WIN BY 42 RUNS AND TAKE THE SERIES 4-1!

Mukesh Kumar to Richard Ngarava, Mukesh Kumar bangs in a bouncer but this one is above the head of the batter, Richard Ngarava misses his pull. Wided again.

Mukesh Kumar to Richard Ngarava, Back of a length but down the leg, Richard Ngarava misses his flick. Wided.

Richard Ngarava will be the last man to walk in for Zimbabwe. 

Mukesh Kumar to Faraz Akram, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mukesh Kumar gets his third now! He goes ‘over the wicket and serves this full, outside off, angles it away, Faraz Akram stays in his crease and tries to reach it by throwing his bat at the ball, gets a thick outside edge behind where Sanju Samson dives to his left smartly and takes a good catch. Faraz Akram played a nice little cameo but he too has to walk back now.

Mukesh Kumar to Blessing Muzarabani, Pitched up and on middle, Blessing Muzarabani drills it towards mid off for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Faraz Akram, Fuller and around middle, Faraz Akram tries to heave it away but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a single. Mukesh Kumar has overstepped once again, It is called a No Ball. Free Hit up next…

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It will be Mukesh Kumar (3-0-17-2) to finish his spell of 4. 

Blessing Muzarabani walks out to bat at number 10 for Zimbabwe.

Tushar Deshpande to Brandon Mavuta, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! India are knocking on the door now! Tushar Deshpande hits the hard length this time, on off, Brandon Mavuta has no room to work with and tries to swat it away staying in his crease, but ends up lobbing it back to the bowler where Tushar Deshpande hops up to grab it with both hands, but it spills out. However, he shows good presence of mind and takes it on the second attempt.

Tushar Deshpande to Brandon Mavuta, On a length and around off, Brandon Mavuta tries to guide it away but fails to lay a bat on that.

Tushar Deshpande to Faraz Akram, Tushar Deshpande follows the batters and bangs in a sharp bouncer, on leg, Faraz Akram gets hurried as he tries to pull it away, gets a glove on that as the ball goes on to hit him on the chest and rolls away. They cross.

Tushar Deshpande to Faraz Akram, FOUR! Faraz Akram is playing a blinder here! This is full again but around off this time, Faraz Akram picks up the length early, moves down and across to revere scoop it over the short fine for a boundary now. Zimbabwe needs 50 in 17 balls now!

Tushar Deshpande to Faraz Akram, SIX! That is a top shot! Tushar Deshpande serves this full and around leg, Faraz Akram moves to the leg side to make some room, presents the full face of the bat and launches it nicely over the bowler’s head for a biggie.

Shivam Dube to Faraz Akram, SIX! There she goes! Zimbabwe needs a lot more of these! Shivam Dube serves this full and angling in the pads, Faraz Akram picks it up nicely and whips it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Shivam Dube to Brandon Mavuta, Short again from Duve, on middle, Brandon Mavuta rolls his wrists and pulls it through square leg for one.

Shivam Dube to Faraz Akram, Uppish but safe! Good length this time, on middle, Faraz Akram uses his feet but mistimes his swipe in the air, the ball lands well in front of mid-wicket. They cross.

Shivam Dube to Brandon Mavuta, Back of a length and on middle, Brandon Mavuta pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 100 up for Zimbabwe!

Shivam Dube to Brandon Mavuta, Hard length and around middle, Brandon Mavuta pats it down towards mid on, Akram wants the run but is sent back.

Abhishek Sharma to Brandon Mavuta, Flighted, full and on middle, Brandon Mavuta sweeps it towards deep square leg for one.

Abhishek Sharma to Faraz Akram, Goes short again, on middle, Faraz Akram nudges it through mid-wiket for a run.

Abhishek Sharma to Faraz Akram, DROPPED! Sanju Samson let go of an opportunity here! Fires this one full and around off, Faraz Akram takes a couple of steps out to lift it away but gets an outside edge behind, Sanju Samson fails to grab it, the ball rolls away from him as there was a stumping chance as well. 

Abhishek Sharma to Brandon Mavuta, Quicker, short and on middle, Brandon Mavuta punches it through covers for a single.

Brandon Mavuta walks in to bat next for Zimbabwe.

Abhishek Sharma to Clive Madande, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Zimbabwe are falling like ten pins here! They have lost their last four wickets for just 10 runs. Abhishek Sharma pushes this quicker through the air, short and just around off, this one skids through, Clive Madande backs away and tries to cut it away but only manages to get a thin outside edge behind where Sanju Samson takes a sharp catch. India three wickets away from the win now!

Shivam Dube to Faraz Akram, FOUR! Oh hello, where has that come from? Fuller and on off, Faraz Akram clears his front leg and heaves it over mid on for a boundary off his first ball. 

Faraz Akram is the next man in.

Shivam Dube to Johnathan Campbell, OUT! CAUGHT! Wickets are now tumbling in a jiffy! Shivam Dube gets his second wicket and the wheels are coming off of the Zimbabwe wagon. On a back of a length and over middle, Johnathan Campbell swivels across and looks to pull it away but doesn’t time it right. The ball flies straight into the bread basket of Tushar Deshpande at deep square leg who didn’t have to move an inch. 

Shivam Dube to Clive Madande, On a back of a length over off, Clive Madande just dabs it to the off side and steals a quick single. 

Shivam Dube to Clive Madande, Beaten again! Hurls it on a hard length just further away from that off stump line, Clive Madande with no foot movement looks to push at it but gets beaten again. 

Shivam Dube to Clive Madande, What a peach by Shivam Dube! Hits the tight length around off, Clive Madande looks to poke at it but is beaten on the outside edge. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Johnathan Campbell, Shorter and on off, Johnathan Campbell drives it to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Clive Madande walks out to bat now. Zimbabwe still needs 81 off 38 balls.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sikandar Raza, OUT! RUN OUT! Another mix-up between these two and Sikandar Raza has to pay the ultimate price! Ravi Bishnoi fires this full and on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza looks to sweep but doesn’t quite get the timing right. He hits it straight to the fielder at short fine and Johnathan Campbell calls him for the run. Shivam Dube collects the ball and throws it at the bowler’s end and manages to clip a bail. Sikandar Raza was caught miles outside the crease!