HARARE, Zimbabwe — In a thrilling performance, Ishan Kishan scored 81 runs off just 44 balls, leading India to a convincing 90-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20 match on Saturday. With this win, India has taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India set a formidable target, amassing 219 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Tilak Varma was also instrumental, remaining unbeaten with a quick 60 runs off 29 balls, while the young talent, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, made an impressive contribution of 20 runs.
Zimbabwe struggled in their chase, being bowled out for only 129 runs in 17.5 overs. On the bowling front, debutant Yash Thakur claimed 2 wickets for 30 runs, while Abhishek Sharma took 3 wickets for just 17 runs. Prince Yadav also made an impact, grabbing 2 wickets for 10 runs in just over a single over before sustaining a hamstring injury.
When India batted first, Sooryavanshi got things rolling with a flurry of boundaries in the powerplay. Despite losing Abhishek Sharma early, who fell to Blessing Muzarabani, the team managed to recover.
Kishan built a solid partnership with captain Shreyas Iyer, adding 66 runs off 42 balls before Iyer was caught for 25. It was then that Kishan teamed up with Varma, and together they scored 94 runs off only 43 balls for the fourth wicket. Kishan achieved his 13th T20 half-century in just 31 balls, while Varma amazed with his aggressive play, reaching his own half-century in just 23 balls.
Although Kishan was dismissed in the 18th over, Varma pushed India past the 200-run mark, securing a strong position in the match.
Zimbabwe’s batting lineup struggled to find its footing, with Bennett being the top scorer at 32 runs off 19 balls, but lacking support from the other players. India had previously won the first T20 match by seven wickets, and the series now looks forward to its final game on Sunday at the same venue.
