A fine performance with both bat and ball helped India to beat Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I on Wednesday. Men in Blue have taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, bouncing back strong with clinical performance after losing the opening match. Chasing a big target of 183, Dion Myers produced a commendable fight with a splendid knock of unbeaten 65 to keep his side in the hunt. But the young cricketer lacked support from other batters and eventually, lost the game. Washington Sundar starred with a three-wicket haul for India.
Batting first, India had a fine start with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill adding 67 runs in 8 overs. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza gave his side a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Jaiswal (36). In his next over, Raza bagged last-match centurion Abhishek Sharma for 10. Although India lost two quick wickets, Gill continued to bat well and hit his half-century.
Blessing Muzarabani got the big fish Gill (66) in the 18th over. Ruturaj Gaikwad produced a quick-fire knock of 28-ball 49 while Sanju Samson added 7*. Brilliant knocks from Gill and Gaikwad helped the visitors to put a defendable 182/4 on the board.
Zimbabwe failed to start well as Indian pacers struck early with two wickets. Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi then took an absolute stunner at the point region to dismiss Brian Bennett (4). The hosts reeled at 37/4 after Sundar scalped Raza for 15. However, Myers and Clive Madande added 77 runs to make the chase interesting. But Indian bowlers were on top, restricting Zimbabwe to 159/6.
