Fast-bowling Mukesh Kumar returned his best ever figures in T20s as his spell of 4 for 22 helped India register a comprehensive 42-run win in the fifth and final match at Harare Sports Club, thereby capturing the series 4-1 over Zimbabwe.
While vice-captain Sanju Samson struck his second T20I fifty, Shivam Dube contributed a brisk 26 towards the end as India posted a competitive total of 167/6. Mukesh struck early with the new ball to put Zimbabwe in a tricky position in the chase.
Some resistance came in for Zimbabwe through Dion Myers and Tadiwanashe Marumani, but in a dramatic collapse, the hosts stumbled from 85/3 to 94/7, eventually folding up for 125 in 18.3 overs.This win secured India's series triumph after dropping the first match by 13 runs.
Mukesh set the tone for India’s defense of 163 when Wesley Madhevere chopped onto his stumps in the opening over. He returned in the third over to have Brian Bennett caught at third man after flashing at a delivery outside off-stump. He nearly took a third wicket, but an overstep spared Myers.
Myers and Marumani struck seven boundaries during their 44-run partnership off 36 balls for the third wicket. Washington Sundar broke the stand by trapping Marumani lbw with a slower delivery in the ninth over.
Myers kept Zimbabwe's hopes alive by hitting Abhishek Sharma for a four and a six, but Shivam Dube dismissed him in the 13th over with a short ball, leading to a catch at backward point off a leading edge.
Sikandar Raza's run-out following a mix-up with Johnathan Campbell, executed by a direct hit from Dube, was a blow from which Zimbabwe couldn't recover. Dube removed Campbell in the next over. Abhishek Sharma and Tushar Deshpande took one wicket each, while Mukesh added two more to his tally, sealing another comprehensive win for India.
Brief Scores:
India 167/6 (Sanju Samson 58, Shivam Dube 26; Blessing Muzarabani 2-19, Richard Ngarava 1-29) beat Zimbabwe 125 in 18.3 overs (Dion Myers, Faraz Akram 27; Mukesh Kumar 4-22, Shivam Dube 2-25) by 42 runs
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