Sports News | Gill praises remarkable team performance as India take 2-1 lead in T20I series against Zimbabwe

Harare, Jul 10 (PTI) India captain Shubman Gill hailed their “remarkable” team performance with a two-wicket haul that saw them beat Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series on Wednesday.

The elegant Indian opener returned to form with a 66 from 49 balls to take the home side to 182 for four before the bowlers restricted the home side to 159 for six.

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This was India’s second consecutive win as they bounced back from a first-match defeat to take the lead.

“It was a crucial game for us and the way we started batting and bowling was remarkable,” Gill said during the post-match presentation.

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India made a resounding comeback in the second T20I, where they posted a mammoth 234 for 2.

Asked if he wasn’t a little disappointed that the team didn’t reach 200 in the third T20, Gill said: “…the wicket was a bit double, the odd ball was gripping and it wasn’t easy to hit the length ball.

“We just wanted to keep hitting the length of the ball. We know that if there’s something in the wicket, it’s going to be there for the bowlers. Everyone contributed, from openers to bowlers.”

Washington Sundar, who was voted Player of the Match, was pleased with the execution of his plan, scoring three for fifteen in four overs.

“It feels great, honestly. Every time I play for the country it seems great. It was a better wicket. There was a bit more for the bowlers in the first two games.

“The way the Zimbabwe batsmen played put us under pressure. They (Myers and Madande) put us under pressure. We wanted to execute everything that was in our plans. We want to finish the series on Saturday.”

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza lamented the errors in fielding.

“I think it’s the fielding again. We pride ourselves on our fielding but today it went wrong. We gave away 20 extra runs and lost by 23,” he said.

The home side had 19 runs off 3 in the 4th over, but Dion Myers made an unbeaten 65 off 49 balls, which gave them hope.

“We still have problems at the top, but I am confident that things will work out. We have tried 15 different partners in the last year or so, the club has been revived, it is time for our players, including myself, to take responsibility.

“You can’t solve a problem by creating another problem, we picked 3 openers for a reason. The openers that were picked need to get a run.”

Speaking about Blessing Muzarabani, who claimed 2/25, Raza said: “We should stop talking about him because he is exceptional. Sometimes the rewards don’t come but in the long run they will come.”

India will play Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I on Saturday.

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