The stage is set for the fourth T20I between Zimbabwe and India, with the series delicately poised at 2-1 in favor of India. The match will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, July 13. Both teams have had moments of brilliance and lapses, making this an intriguing contest as the series progresses.
Match Preview
India entered the series with high expectations but stumbled in the opening match, suffering a shock 13-run defeat to Zimbabwe. Despite restricting the hosts to a modest 115/9, India’s batting lineup faltered under pressure, collapsing to 102 all out. This defeat highlighted India’s vulnerabilities and served as a wake-up call for the visitors.
India’s response was swift and emphatic. In the second T20I, they unleashed their batting prowess, posting a formidable 234/2. Abhishek Sharma was the star of the show with a blistering century, supported by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s half-century. India’s bowlers then wrapped up Zimbabwe’s innings for 134, securing a comprehensive 100-run victory and leveling the series.
In the third T20I, India continued their resurgence with a solid all-around performance. Batting first, they put up 182/4, with crucial contributions from Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Despite a fighting knock from Dion Myers, Zimbabwe fell short, finishing at 159/6. Washington Sundar’s all-around performance earned him the Player of the Match award. It was the very game when India took a crucial 2-1 lead in the series.
Zimbabwe has shown a commendable fight throughout the series. Their victory in the first T20I was a testament to their never-say-die attitude. Despite a subpar batting performance, their bowlers, led by captain Sikandar Raza, managed to defend a low total with aplomb. The win boosted Zimbabwe and showcased their potential to compete against top-tier teams.
However, Zimbabwe’s inability to build on their early success has been a concern. In the second T20I, they dropped crucial catches and let the game slip away early. In the third match, their top-order failures left them playing catch-up. Though Dion Myers and Clive Madande fought valiantly, it was not enough to overturn India’s total.
Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar will be pivotal for India. Sharma’s aggressive batting at the top can set the tone, while Sundar’s versatility with both bat and ball makes him an asset. Shubman Gill’s captaincy will also be under the spotlight as he leads a relatively young side.
Zimbabwe will rely heavily on Sikandar Raza’s experience and leadership. Raza’s all-around capabilities make him a key figure in batting and bowling. Dion Myers, who has shown glimpses of his potential, needs to convert starts into substantial scores. The hosts will also look to improve their fielding, which has been a letdown in the past matches.
The fourth T20I promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams having much at stake. India will aim to seal the series, while Zimbabwe will fight to stay alive and push the series to a decider. With both teams showing flashes of brilliance and areas of concern, fans expect a tightly contested match filled with drama.
Pitch and Conditions
The Harare Sports Club pitch has offered a bit for both batsmen and bowlers. While it has seen high scores, it also assists bowlers, particularly with the new ball. The team winning the toss might prefer to bat first and set a target, as chasing under lights can be challenging.
Probable Playing XI
Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(wk), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson(wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed.
Key Players
India
Abhishek Sharma: The youngster has been a standout performer, particularly with his explosive batting. Despite a duck in the first T20I, Sharma roared back with a scintillating century in the second T20I. He scored 100 runs off just 47 balls, which included seven fours and eight sixes. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has been instrumental in setting the tone for India’s innings. In the third T20I, he could only score ten off nine deliveries, but he can bounce back with a good knock.
Washington Sundar: His all-round abilities make him another crucial player for India. Sundar has been effective with the ball, taking two wickets for 11 runs in the first T20I, one for 28 runs in the second, and three for 15 runs in the third. His economical bowling in the middle overs has kept the pressure on Zimbabwe’s batsmen.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: The CSK batter has provided stability at the top of the order with his consistent performances. Although he scored only seven runs in the first T20I, Gaikwad made significant contributions in the following matches, scoring 77 runs off 47 balls in the second T20I and 49 runs off 28 balls in the third. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate has been crucial for India’s batting strategy, making him a key player in the upcoming match.
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza: The skipper’s experience and leadership have been vital. Raza’s all-round capabilities have seen him contribute with both bat and ball. He scored 17 runs in the first T20I, only four runs in the second, and 15 in the third. His bowling has been equally important, taking three wickets for 25 runs in the first match, 0 for 34 in the second, and two for 24 in the third. Raza’s ability to take crucial wickets and his steady batting make him an essential player.
Clive Madande: The wicketkeeper-batter has shown resilience and the ability to score runs under pressure. In the first T20I, he scored 29 runs off 25 balls, followed by a duck in the second, and 37 runs off 26 balls in the third. His performance in the middle order has provided Zimbabwe with crucial runs, particularly in challenging situations. Madande’s stability and composure will be key for Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
Dion Myers: He has been one of Zimbabwe’s standout batsmen in the series. He scored 23 runs off 22 balls in the first T20I, a duck in the second, and a fighting 65 runs off 49 balls in the third. Myers’ ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed has been crucial for Zimbabwe. His consistent performances make him a key player for Zimbabwe in the middle order.
Match Prediction
Given the current form and momentum, India have the upper hand going into the 4th T20I. Their comprehensive victories in the last two matches, bolstered by solid performances from key players like Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar, make them favourites.
While showing potential, Zimbabwe has struggled with consistency, particularly in their top order. Unless Zimbabwe can fix these issues, India is likely to win the fourth T20I and clinch the series.
