Indian team was flawless in the format across the year, especially with the win in the 2024 T20 World cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

Men in Blue have played a total of 26 T20Is and won 24 of them. The year for India has ended with a stunning win percentage of 92.31. The only two matches lost by the team are one in the five-match series against Zimbabwe, and the other during the 2nd T20I in the four-match series against South Africa.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the year for Indian team has seen a massive record as they have become the first team in the world to have created this massive record.

The Men in Blue have finished a year with a win percentage of more than 90 in T20Is with more than 15 matches played in total. The previous record was by Pakistan, which they had set in 2018.

Highest Win% In A Year In T20Is (Minimum 15 Matches Played):-

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India lost the first match by 13 runs, nut the second match was the point from when the Men In Blue made a U-turn in the series. Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh ripped Zimbabwe bowlers. The chase from Zimbabwe that followed, was never on point and they had to take a heavy 100-run defeat.

This continued on in the third T20i, though the Zimbabwe bowlers were not as bad as compared to previous match. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe team failed again, as they fell short in the chase y 23 runs.

The fourth match offered a bit of hope for Zimbabwe as the team finally put up a score of 157 runs. However, their horrible bowling continued as India easily chased the target with 10 wickets remaining.

In the final T20I, Zimbabwe managed to restrict India to 167 for 6. However their problems with batting continued as before and got wrapped up for just 125 runs. This resulted in them losing the match by 42 runs and the series 4-1.

After the match, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza praised Blessing Muzarbani’s consistent bowling performance through the whole series. However he also accepted that their batting needs a massive improvement and their fielding was well below expectations.

“I thought Blessing bowled well the whole series. Batting-wise, we are still below par, but we are starting to rectify the problems at the top. You are going to have bad games here and there. The grey area for me will remain our attitude in the field, we are still making a lot of mistakes, that’s controllable, we are going to keep working hard and hopefully keep getting better,” Raza said at the post-match presentation.

“My workload needs to be managed. I haven’t played any four-day cricket in the last two years post my surgeries. My shoulder isn’t 100%, I don’t want to be a guy who just gets a jersey. I need to go back, respect my domestic cricket and also respect my domestic cricketers who have put a lot of runs. I will go back to play domestic cricket and test my own fitness. I am still available for Test match cricket but at this point of time, I am not because I haven’t played a lot of four-day cricket. I’ll leave for Manchester for The Hundred in a few days time, I am looking forward to that,” he concluded.

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Young players stole the light with the bat through the whole series against Zimbabwe. The top order shockingly showed massive potential. Abhishek Sharma took the charge in the second game, as he blasted an explosive century in just 47 balls. Gill was the turning point through the series as he made two half-centuries. Ruturaj was impressive with his aggressive strokes as well, since he collected 133 runs at a massive strike rate of 158.33. Apart from all that, Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh also made good use of their opportunities, as they made valuable contributions to the success of the team.

After all this, however, the Player of the Series (POTS) award was given to Washington Sundar. As he made a comeback to the national team after missing out on the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sundar showed his all-round capabilities both while batting and bowling.

Even after the limited opportunities to play, Sundar came out as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series, with a tally of eight scalp. The success for India’s success was all due to his economical bowling, as he had an average of 5.16 run per over.

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Gill supported his teammates by saying that the players came after taking long flights, and that they were not used to the conditions provided by Zimbabwe but the way that hey adapted according to the situations was impressive.

“Excellent series. The hunger that we showed after the first loss was phenomenal to watch. Lot of the players had long flights, they weren’t used to the conditions. The way they adapted was remarkable. I have been there (Sri Lanka) once for Asia Cup, looking forward to go there and performing” said Gill during the post-match conference.

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Gill was the top run scorer in the five-match series in Harare. He is scheduled to begin alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the three T20 Internationals in Sri Lanka later this month. He did not travel with the USA and Caribbean T20 World Cup team.

India used as many as four openers in the playing eleven over the most of the series, and Gill, Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad all performed admirably.

In all five of the matches, Gill captained India’s reserve side and opened the batting. Jaiswal joined Gill at the top of the order starting in the third game.

He opened with colleague Abhishek Sharma of Punjab, who hit a hundred and fifty in his debut series, for the first two games. Gill had the lowest strike rate of the four openers—125.92—against Jaiswal (165.88), Gaikwad (158.33), and Abhishek (174.64).

“It’s a good thing that everyone’s performing. It shows that everyone is hungry and nobody is ready to take it easy. For any country or board, that’s always a good thing,” said Gill on Sunday referring to the openers.

When choosing the openers for the Sri Lanka series, the selectors will have many challenges in the wake of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s departure from T20Is.

“Anyone who got the opportunity grabbed it with both hands. The openers to bowlers to all-rounders to spinners, everyone made a mark and I think the selectors have now seen everything and it’s up to them to name the squad for the next series,” he said after India’s 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe.

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Gill said he relished the challenge of leading the team through the series.

“One thing about captaincy I feel is how much confidence you can show in your players. I try to do that and make them believe that if you try and execute the plans, the results will always follow,” Gill said.

“After losing the first match, we were under a bit of pressure. It’s not easy to play back to back games and the series was planned in a way that there were two back-to-back games, a couple of days rest and then again back-to-back games.

“It’s never easy playing a series like that but I think the way we came back after losing the first T20I was really remarkable.”

After losing the first game of the series, India came back to win 4-1.

“Seeing everyone hungry and so quickly adapting to the situation and assessing the conditions was truly spectacular to watch,” said Gill.

With the ball moving around in the powerplay, the opener thought it was important to be a little cautious early in the innings.

“I think, as per the conditions of the wicket, there were some challenging conditions, especially in the powerplay, the ball was always doing something or the other. As an opening batter, my focus was to see out 4-5 overs and not concede any wicket,” he added.

The post Shubman Gill Welcomes Healthy Competition Among Openers appeared first on Cricket Country.

Chasing 153, Jaiswal and Gill went to work, destroying the total in 15.2 overs. This was only the second time that India had defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in a T20 international on Saturday.

“We were only thinking about finishing the game and make sure that the team wins and we finish without any loss (of a wicket),” Jaiswal told a group of fans after the game in a video shared by the BCCI.

Although Jaiswal, the aggressor in the partnership, appeared certain to reach a century, he finished unbeaten on 93 off 53 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, giving India an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

“The only thing in the mind was to finish the game without any loss,” Jaiswal said.

“I really enjoyed playing today, it was an amazing experience with Shubman bhai and I really enjoyed scoring the runs. Whenever I play for India I really enjoy and feel proud,” he added.

The 22-year-old, who just joined the international circuit last year, was part of the T20 World Cup-winning team. He expressed how much he relished the opportunity to be a part of the historic achievement.

“I enjoyed my process and being a part of the World Cup champion team and I learnt a lot. I was really excited. Whenever I get a chance I try my best and make sure that I am contributing for the team and winning the games for my team,” he said.

India’s tour of Zimbabwe for five T20Is concludes on Sunday with the fifth and final game slated here at the Harare Sports Club.

The post Flawless Chase: Yashasvi Jaiswal on India’s Strategy appeared first on Cricket Country.

Myers, who stepped away from the game in 2021 to study for a degree at an English university, struck for a 49 from 49 balls, albeit it was not enough to win. In the five-match T20I series, India is up 2-1.

Myers last played for Zimbabwe in September 2021 against Ireland, before to the current series against India.

“It’s surreal to return to team. It’s something that you dream about as a young boy. I really thank my team-mates and my family for the support. Times were tough in the past few years, but I managed to find a way, so very proud of it,” Myers said in a press meet.

“Being back in the team…it’s such a nice vibe. So, I expect a lot more from this team going forward and very excited for the future,” he added.

Myers claimed that his absence from cricket was a “blessing in disguise for him.”

“It just helps sometimes when you’re out of the system or set-up to be able to look from a panoramic view and see what you can achieve or what you can do better to give to the team.

“The time away from the game was a blessing in disguise and it helped me realise a few more things about myself and also I needed to grow up,” he said.

For the 21-year-old, returning to cricket was not an easy task, though.

In the second T20 International, he was out for a duck and was then thrashed for 28 runs in an over by Indian opener Abhishek Sharma.

Myers claimed that in spite of the subpar performance, he was still able to maintain his confidence.

“It’s brilliant to learn and it’s brilliant to be in the firing line. I’m a big believer that if a situation presents a tough circumstance, you’re going to stand up or just let it go,” he said.

“So, it was a great experience for me, personally, I didn’t take it in a confidence-down sort of a way and I thought there are some things that I need to work on. That’s how I’m taking such things,” he added.

The post Dion Myers Reflects on Return to Zimbabwe Team After Three Years appeared first on Cricket Country.

This massive feat occurred on the first ball of fourth over, when Bennett cut a wide delivery. However, Bishnoi, who was at backward point flung himself in the air and grabbed the ball with both his hands.

BCCI shared a video on X where Bishnoi’s teammates can be seen making fun with him, with Avesh Khan, Rinku Singh, and Washington Singh having banter with Bishnoi. Also, Bishnoi was praised by Shubhman Gill for his amazing effort.

The catch hyped up the entire team and even after the match they were having jokes about it with Bishnoi.

In a post-match chat between Avesh and Bishnoi, the pacer praised the spinner for his effort who replied ‘it is normal’ for him to take such catches on Avesh’s bowling.

WATCH: Indian Players have banter with Ravi Bishnoi

In the early point, Avesh highlights that Bishnoi didn’t have much reaction time and his teammates also didn’t have much time to witness it. The pacer said that even though the wicket was taken by him, it should be counted as by Ravi.

Rinku Singh added that Bishnoi has taken any catches like this in both International cricket and the IPL, while Washington Sundar talked about how he was well-positioned to witness this action in real-time.

“Firstly very happy with the team’s win, going 2-1 up in the series, and the catch that Bishnoi took was absolutely remarkable. Cricket is definitely a team sport and it’s more so a team sport when you’re fielding, so you should have fun when you’re fielding, if you’re having fun then you’re always in the game,” Shubhman Gill said.

Later, Bishnoi and Avesh had a fun banter about the catch, Bishnoi said he had developed a habit of taking catches on Avesh’s bowling, where the pacer quickly replied by telling him how he missed a catch bit earlier than that. Avesh was quizzed for his bowling strategy where he replied by saying that he hopes to make the job easier for his teammates.

The post ‘New Normal For Me’: Ravi Bishnoi on his Flying Catch, Avesh Khan Strikes back ‘Ek Catch Chhora..’- WATCH appeared first on Cricket Country.

The India vs Zimbabwe rivalry in the T20I format is one of the most fascinating rivalry contest in the shortest format of cricket. India and Zimbabwe played their first T20 International match against each other in June 2010.

In the ongoing 5-match T20I series between the two sides, two matches have been played with both sides winning one match each.

The post India vs Zimbabwe Head to head Record in T20I Format appeared first on Cricket Country.

“A son’s dream takes flight, and a father’s heart swells with pride! Riyan Parag, you’ve made Assam proud! And what makes it even more special is receiving his Cap from the person who inspired him the most – his father!,” Assam Cricket Association posted on X, congratulating the young player.

The day was deemed significant for the state by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

“Our very own @ParagRiyan makes his debut in the Indian Cricket Team as he plays his first T20I match for #TeamIndia against Zimbabwe at Harare,” he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

“#RiyanParag becomes the first Assamese male cricketer to play for India. Proud moment; may be reach the pinnacle of sporting glory,” the former Assam CM added.

The 22-year-old, who did not bowl in his debut international match, did not do well with the bat either. In the fifth over, India was chasing Zimbabwe’s 115 runs when he was caught for 2 runs off 3 balls.

The first T20 International of the five-match series was played here on Saturday, and Zimbabwe pulled off an enormous upset by defeating the Indian squad, which was full of Next-Gen players, by 13.

In the Indian national squad for the visit of Zimbabwe last month was Riyan, who played for the Indian Under-19 team that won the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

In addition to playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League since 2018, he has represented Assam in local cricket since 2017.

Uma Chetry, another cricket player from the state, was previously chosen to the Indian women’s team but has not yet made an appearance on the international scene.

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