India thrashed Zimbabwe by 100 runs in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
It was Abhishek Sharma all the way through as he struck his maiden century in T20 internationals. His effort turned out to be the third-fastest hundred by an Indian in T20Is.
It was a nervy start to the game for the visitors, with captain Shubman Gill dismissed in the second over while caught at mid-on.
Abhishek Sharma took time to get settled; he reached his half-century in 33 balls despite the early jolt. However, he accelerated dramatically thereafter, scoring his next fifty in just 13 balls. This explosive phase included three consecutive sixes off Wellington Masakadza's over, culminating in Sharma's century before he was dismissed on the following delivery.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh continued the onslaught, adding 87 runs in the last six overs, which propelled India's total to 234 runs at the end of their 20 overs.
Zimbabwe's response began with a boundary from Innocent Kaia, but on the third ball, he was bowled by Mukesh Kumar. Brian Bennett promised much with 26 runs off nine balls, only to fall to the same bowler, Kumar, which was the second wicket of his stick.
The response from Zimbabwe was not good as wickets fell at regular intervals, making the run rate increase continuously. Three wickets fell between 72 and 76, which really closed the game for India.
Only Wesley Madhevere contributed significantly for them with 43 off 39 balls, but like the other day, his good work was all in vain as Ravi Bishnoi's ecstatic bowling—nine runs given in four with two wickets to his credit—stifled the chase of Zimbabwe.
Once Madhevere's wicket fell, it was only a matter of time before India wrapped up the game, as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 134 runs in 18.4 overs.
With this victory, the five-match series is now tied at 1-1. The third game is set to be played on Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club.
Brief score:
India 234/2 (20.0) (Abhishek Sharma 100 off 47, Ruturaj Gaikwad 77 off 47; Blessing Muzarabani 30/1 in four overs) beat Zimbabwe 134/10 (Wesley Madhevere 43 off 39, Brian Bennett 26 off 9; Avesh Khan 15/3 in three overs)
