Watch Cricket Highlights India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 Highlights Today 18 June 2016.Watch Cricket Highlights India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 Highlights Today 18 June 2016.The second string squad was picked to test the team's bench strength and the youngsters had the ideal platform to perform at the back of a resounding series win in the preceding three ODIs. However, they wilted under pressure when challenged for the first time in the series.
While the batsmen did not show composure required at the highest level, the bowlers, who were given opportunity for the first time on the tour, disappointed.Credit should go to Zimbabwe for their performance after a humiliating loss in the ODIs but they were allowed to play big shots by the erring Indian bowlers to post 170.
All-rounder Rishi Dhawan, representing India for the first time since the Australia tour and making his T20 International debut, put up an ordinary effort leaking 42 runs in four overs.
Pressure was also on pacer Jaydev Unadkat, who was in India colours for the first time in almost three years. Making his debut in the format, Unadkat was not consistent with his line and length and paid the price for it.
It remains to be seen whether he gets another game after ending with figures of 0/43 or Barinder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni come back to bowl with the new ball, pushing Dhawan out of the eleven too.
Leggie Yuzvendra Chahal, who impressed in ODIs, also had an off day and he would be aiming to bounce back strongly.
Ahead of the must-win game, Dhoni warned his men to not repeat the same mistakes in the remaining gamesThough spinner Jayant Yadav was the only one to not get an opportunity in the 16-man squad, Dhoni is expected to get back to his full strength bowling attack.
India did not see the loss coming after a cakewalk in the ODIs, giving Zimbabwe a much-needed morale boost to press for another win.Saturday's clash was a day of memorable moments and important life lessons. Finally, after a week full of disappointments, the hosts finally broke into frenzied celebrations following Neville Madziva's terrific final over, in which he managed to prevent proven match-winner and Indian captain Dhoni from scoring the required four runs off the last ball. The way Madziva pulled out a stump and ran towards long-off a-la Imran Tahir tells you how badly the bottom-ranked Test side have been waiting to celebrate in this manner, given the fact that they have hardly been winning anything in recent times.
The top discussion on social media following Zimbabwe’s upset win was Dhoni — from his ability to finish matches, or captaining the limited-overs side in the first place. Indeed, Dhoni has not been having the best of run in recent times, something that was only compounded by Rising Pune Supergiants' (RPS) second-last finish in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). Although a 3-0 blanking of the hosts in the ODI leg of the ongoing tour wouldn't lend him much credibility, the latest loss has only armed his critics with new barbs to be thrown at him.
Neville Madziva's last ball was brilliant: MS Dhoni after Zimbabwe's shock win over India
Neville Madziva's last ball was brilliant: MS Dhoni after Zimbabwe's shock win over India
Elton Chigumbura, Neville Madziva help Zimbabwe clinch thriller against India in 1st T20I
Elton Chigumbura, Neville Madziva help Zimbabwe clinch thriller against India in 1st T20I
First time unlucky: Bad day for India's army of debutants against Zimbabwe's well-oiled machine
First time unlucky: Bad day for India's army of debutants against Zimbabwe's well-oiled machine
Madziva's final over, reminiscent of a similar one by Kagiso Rabada against the same batsman in an ODI last year, has brought up the debate of Dhoni's finishing ability once again, and though a couple of failures will not do much to tarnish his legacy as a finisher par excellence, he will have to soon produce the match-winning performances if he is to preserve that legacy.The BCCI, on its part, refused to comment, claiming that it is yet to ascertain the exact facts of the issue. "We are keeping a close watch on the development. It is a serious issue. Being aware of the sensitive nature of the issue, the BCCI won't make comments without ascertaining facts," said a top Board official on condition of anonymity.
India are currently engaged in a three-match Twenty20 series against the hosts after sweeping the ODIs 3-0. The visitors had lost the opening T20 in Harare yesterday and will be playing the second match tomorrow at the same venue.Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
