“The way we started with bat…”

Shubman Gill-led India, on Wednesday (July 10), beat Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. 

The captain led from the very front, scoring a fine fifty to help his side post a big total of 182/4 while batting first. Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings for the team and shared a 67-run stand for the first wicket before the latter departed for 36.

Last match’s centurion Abhishek Sharma could not do much with the bat and was dismissed for just 10 runs before Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied the ship with a 72-run stand. Gill played the role of the second fiddle during the stand while Gaikwad led the charge with the bat, scoring 49 runs from just 28 balls. The partnership ended in the 18th over when Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Gill for 66 runs.

Shubman Gill on the victory:

India went on to defend the total with utmost ease as Zimbabwe finished their innings on 159 for 6. The visitors started in a disastrous fashion and were reeling at 39 for 5 at one stage before an unbeaten 67-run knock from Dion Myers helped them post a respectable total.

Speaking at the end of the game, Shubman Gill started by expressing his delight over the win in the crucial game. He also said that the pitch was not easy for batting as the surface was double-paced. He also said that the collective effort from the players is a good sign for the team.

“Definitely it feels very good, it was a crucial game for us, the way we started with the bat and ball was good. The wicket was a bit double-paced, the odd ball was gripping and it was not easy to hit the length balls, that’s what we discussed with our bowlers,” said Gill at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“We know that if there is something in the wicket, it will be more with the new ball, and as the ball gets old it’s a bit easier to score. Everyone is contributing and that’s a good sign,” he added.

The fourth T20I is scheduled to be played on Saturday (July 13). Team India will be looking to clinch the series by winning the penultimate game of the series. The momentum is with the Men in Blue and they will be looking to make the most of it.