IndvZim: India Wins 3rd T20I to Take 2-1 Series Lead

India demonstrated once again that their loss in the first match was just an anomaly. With Shubman Gill leading the charge, India clinched the third T20 match by 23 runs, advancing in the series. Three World Cup-winning players returned to the team, resulting in four changes in India's starting XI. This victory gave India a 2-1 lead in the T20 series.

Despite the win, India might have some concerns. Even after reducing Zimbabwe to 39 for 5, the Indian bowlers couldn't bowl them out completely. Zimbabwe's lower-order batsmen put up a fight, highlighting potential areas for improvement in India's bowling lineup.

Captain Shubman Gill made a return to form. Yashaswi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson, all from India's World Cup-winning squad, were brought into the team for this match. Consequently, Yashaswi opened with Shubman, and Abhishek Sharma, who scored a century in the previous match, was moved to number three in the batting order rather surprisingly .

After winning the toss, Shubman and Yashaswi got India off to a strong start, capitalizing on the power play to score 50 runs in just four overs. However, the run rate slowed down due to some effective bowling by Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza. India lost their first wicket at 67 runs when Yashaswi was dismissed for 36 runs, playing a reverse sweep off Raza. Abhishek Sharma, coming in at number three, managed only 10 runs before also falling to Raza.

Shubman continued to play well, partnered by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo steadied the innings and increased the run rate after 12 overs. Sikandar Raza made a tactical error by giving the ball to part-time bowlers despite having main bowlers available, which allowed India to score freely. Shubman reached his half-century off 36 balls and played a crucial role, scoring a dazzling  66 runs before being dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani.

Ruturaj Gaikwad took charge after Shubman's dismissal, hitting some big shots towards the end and scoring 49 runs before also falling to Muzarabani. India finished their innings at 182 for 4 in 20 overs.

Chasing 183, Zimbabwe struggled from the start, losing wickets early. Avesh Khan struck first, dismissing Wesley Madhevere in the second over, followed by Khaleel Ahmed, who dismissed Marumani in the third over. Zimbabwe lost another key wicket in the power play when Avesh dismissed Brian Bennett, thanks to a spectacular catch by Ravi Bishnoi.

Zimbabwe's wickets continued to fall regularly. Spinners took over after the pacers, with Washington Sundar dismissing Sikandar Raza and Jonathan Campbell in a single over. Sikandar, who was playing well, fell trying to hit big shots as the required run rate increased. By then, Zimbabwe had lost half their side for 39 runs.

Dion Myers and Clive Madande put up a fight for the sixth wicket, initially keeping their wickets intact before opening up with some big shots. However, the required run rate kept climbing. Despite their efforts, they couldn't secure a win. Madande was dismissed for 37, and Myers remained unbeaten with a half-century, scoring 65 runs. Zimbabwe ended their innings at 159 for 6 in 20 overs, falling short by 23 runs.