IND vs ZIM 5th T20I: Who said what after India won the series 4-1 ?

India won the five-match IND vs ZIM series 4-1 on July 14.

The Indian cricket team outclassed the hosts Zimbabwe, defeating them by 42 runs in the final match of the five-match T20I series and won the series 4-1 at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on July 14.

After being asked to bat first by the hosts, Indian batter Sanju Samson played a fine innings of 58 runs, whereas all-rounder Shivam Dube (26) and middle order batter Riyan Parag (22) helped the visitors to reach a competitive total of 167/6. For Zimbabwe, pacer Blessing Muzarabani took a two-wicket haul in his four-over spell.

While defending 168, Indian pacer Mukesh Kumar dismantled the hosts’ batting line-up. The right-arm speedster bagged four wickets. All-rounder Dube took two scalps as they bundled out Zimbabwe for 125 in 18.3 overs and won the fifth T20I by 42 runs and clinched the series 4-1.

For Zimbabwe, Dion Myers played a fighting knock of 34 runs, whereas opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (27) and Faraz Akram (27) were the other two top contributors with the bat for the hosts.

They weren’t used to the conditions: Indian skipper Shubman Gill

After winning the series 4-1 against Zimbabwe, Indian captain Shubman Gill said that the guys weren’t used to the conditions, but they adapted quickly, which is remarkable. Gill further said that the young Indian group showed hunger after the loss of the first T20I.

Gill mentioned that he is looking forward for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting from July 27.

“Excellent series. The hunger that we showed after the first loss was phenomenal to watch. Lot of the players had long flights, they weren’t used to the conditions. The way they adapted was remarkable. I have been there (Sri Lanka) once for Asia Cup, looking forward to go there and performing,” Indian skipper Gill said during the post-match presentation.

Gill was also the leading run-getter in the five-match T20I series, with 170 runs.

Blessing Muzarabani bowled well the whole series: Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza

Zimbabwe skipper Raza praised pacer Blessing Muzbarani for having an outstanding series. The speedster was the highest wicket-taker for his side with six wickets. Sikandar Raza further added that his side had a below-par series with the bat, and they will look to rectify the problems at the top.

“I thought Blessing bowled well the whole series. Batting-wise, we are still below-par, but we are starting to rectify the problems at the top. You are going to have bad games here and there. The grey area for me will remain our attitude in the field, we are still making a lot of mistakes, that’s controllable, we are going to keep working hard and hopefully keep getting better. It was unfortunate that Richie (Ngarava) wasn’t fit at the start of the series. Had he been declared fit, he was gonna play all the games. To have him fit is certainly a blessing because we all know his quality,” Sikandar Raza said during the post-match presentation.

Raza further added that his workload needs to be managed as he hasn’t played any four-day cricket in the last two years since his surgeries. The Zimbabwe skipper opened up that his shoulder wasn’t 100%.

Raza further said that he will go back to domestic cricket and test his own fitness. The veteran cricketer shared that he will leave for Manchester for the Hundred in a few days.

“To have Richie and Blessing … every time I was in trouble I looked up to them and they did the job for the team, really happy for those two boys. My workload needs to be managed. I haven’t played any four-day cricket in the last two years post my surgeries,” Raza added.

“My shoulder isn’t 100%, I don’t want to be a guy who just gets a jersey. I need to go back, respect my domestic cricket and also respect my domestic cricketers who have put a lot of runs. I will go back to play domestic cricket and test my own fitness. I am still available for Test match cricket but at this point of time, I am not because I haven’t played a lot of four-day cricket. I’ll leave for Manchester for The Hundred in a few days time, I am looking forward to that,” Zimbabwe captain concluded.

Always special thing to contribute in both departments: Shivam Dube

The Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant outing with both the bat and the ball. Dube scored crucial 26 runs and then picked two wickets in the fifth T20I against Zimbabwe on July 14.

After receiving the Player of the Match award, Dube said that he was very happy to contribute to both departments.

“It’s always a special thing to contribute in both departments. Took some wickets, very happy. In T20s, you can struggle but one shot and you can get back. The ground is big, we enjoy playing here, the atmosphere and the people are amazing,” India all-rounder Dube said during the post-match presentation.

Lot of takeaways and learnings: Washington Sundar

Men in Blue off-spinner Washington Sundar was named Player of the Series for his brilliant outing with the ball throughout the series. The right-arm spinner ended up as the leading wicket-taker of the series with eight wickets in five matches.

After winning the Player of the Series award, Sundar said the conditions in Harare were similar to those in South Africa, as there was extra bounce and extra pace on the pitch. The off-spinner further added that this five-match T20I series has helped him to learn more things.

“Good to have finished with a win. After the first game, the conditions were similar to South Africa getting that extra bounce and extra pace. We had enough time to get a lot of information. Lot of takeaways and learnings, I bowled a lot in this series. We had a lot of success as a team,” Sundar said during the post-match presentation.

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