India ended their tour on a high with a convincing 42-run victory over hosts Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday, July 14. Sanju Samson’s brilliant 58 and disciplined bowling by Mukesh Kumar sealed a 4-1 series win for India. Zimbabwe faltered in their middle order, collapsing from chasing 168 to being out for 125.
Sunday in Harare, Zimbabwe won the toss and immediately opted to bowl first. Raza took charge in the opening over and it was engaging from the word go. His first delivery turned out to be a no-ball. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a six off the first delivery and the subsequent free hit, but Raza dismissed him shortly after.
The good line and length held by the Zimbabwe bowlers paid off, reaping rewards as Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill fell in the 5 overs, thereby reducing India to 40 for 3. The promoted Samson at No.4 batted with his fluent touch to help stabilize the visitors. He, along with his RR colleague Riyan Parag, forged a very important 65-run partnership.
After Parag’s departure, Samson started accelerating his innings and got excellent support from Shivam Dube, who pasted 26 runs off 12 balls. The 58-run knock off 45 deliveries by Samson was quite important as after his departure Zimbabwe did make a comeback. Rinku Singh’s late blitz sent India to 167 in 20 overs. The target of 168 proved a challenging one for Zimbabwe.
From 85 for 3, Zimbabwe slumped to 90 for 6 in a matter of 2 overs as the massive mix-up between Raza and Campbell resulted in the latter falling, leaving the skipper run-out. Then Abhishek Sharma struck, reducing Zimbabwe to tatters at 94 for 7.
