Zimbabwe’s cricket team has a knack for surprising upsets, often catching India off guard in T20 Internationals (T20Is). Impressively, Zimbabwe has triumphed over India three times in this format. Let’s dive into the juicy details of these memorable victories that left Indian fans scratching their heads and Zimbabwean supporters cheering wildly.
In a remarkable match on July 6, 2024, Zimbabwe stunned India with a 13-run victory at the Harare Sports Club. This was the first match of a five-game series and India’s first international outing after winning the T20 World Cup 2024. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe elected to bat and finished with a total of 115-9. Clive Madande (29* off 25) and Brian Bennett (22 off 15) were the notable contributors. India’s Ravi Bishnoi was the standout bowler with figures of 4-13.
Chasing a modest target, India faltered, collapsing to 102 all out in 19.5 overs. Shubman Gill top-scored with 31, but India lost wickets at regular intervals. Zimbabwe’s win was sealed by the bowling heroics of Tendai Chatara (3-16) and Sikandar Raza (3-25).
The 2024 victory was particularly notable as it came right after India’s T20 World Cup win. The match at Harare Sports Club saw Zimbabwe defend a modest total with exceptional bowling and fielding.
Zimbabwe’s second T20I victory over India came on June 18, 2016, in another thrilling encounter at Harare. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a challenging 170-6, thanks to Elton Chigumbura’s explosive 54* off 26 balls. Hamilton Masakadza’s quickfire 25 off 15 and Malcolm Waller’s composed 30 off 21 were vital in setting a competitive total.
Despite a fighting 48 from Manish Pandey, India fell short, finishing at 168-6. With India needing eight runs off the last ball, Neville Madziva held his nerve to secure a two-run win for Zimbabwe.
The 2016 win was a classic example of Zimbabwe’s tenacity. Elton Chigumbura’s explosive innings laid the foundation, but it was Neville Madziva’s composure in the final over that clinched the game. Defending eight runs off the last ball is a daunting task, and Madziva’s ability to deliver under pressure was commendable.
Zimbabwe’s first T20I win against India occurred on July 19, 2015, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing history. Opting to bat, Zimbabwe scored 145-7, with Chamu Chibhabha leading the charge with a splendid 67 off 51 balls. For India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma took two wickets each.
Zimbabwe bowled brilliantly to restrict India to 135-9. Graeme Cremer’s 3-18 was crucial, as only Robin Uthappa (42 off 25) and Stuart Binny (24 off 23) offered resistance. Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling earned them a 10-run victory.
Zimbabwe’s first T20I win against India in 2015 was a breakthrough moment. Chamu Chibhabha’s splendid batting and Graeme Cremer’s effective bowling were key factors.
In T20Is, India and Zimbabwe have faced each other nine times. India leads the head-to-head record with six wins, while Zimbabwe has emerged victorious three times. These matches highlight Zimbabwe’s capability to challenge stronger teams and pull off remarkable victories, especially in home conditions.
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