The India tour of Zimbabwe 2024 5-match T20 series has turned out to be an exciting one, with 3 games being played and India leading the ongoing Zim vs Ind series 2-1. So, let us take an in-depth look at how the 3 matches went in the Zim vs Ind T20 series:
Zim vs Ind T20i Match 1:
India’s post-T20 World Cup celebrations were cut short when Zimbabwe defeated them in T20Is for the first time in 2024. After being reduced to 115 for 9, Zimbabwe’s bowlers came out strong, picking up wickets at regular intervals to dismiss India for 102 in 19.5 overs.
This was, of course, India’s second-string T20I lineup; the first-choice squad is taking a week off following the World Cup final in Bridgetown. Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza excelled with the bowling, taking three wickets each as India folded in a fast, much to the joy of a sold-out Harare Sports Club.
India made debuts for Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Gill did not hesitate to bowl first after winning the toss. Zimbabwe started brightly, but Ravi Bishnoi (4 for 13) and Washington Sundar (2 for 11) choreographed the collapse. At the midway point, it appeared to be an easy chase, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers had other plans.
India lost four wickets in five overs, with Abhishek falling for a four-ball duck, Ruturaj Gaikwad for seven, Parag for three balls, and Rinku Singh for only two. And when Sikandar Raza cleaned up Shubman Gill for 31, everyone in Harare believed. India needed 16 runs from the penultimate over with one wicket in hand, but they expected to get over with Washington still intact. Chatara, on the other hand, bowled a nerveless 20th over, surrendering only two runs off four deliveries and taking Washington off the fifth, sparking frenzied celebrations in Harare.
Zim vs Ind T20i Match 2:
India’s initial step into the next phase of T20 cricket started with a wobble last Saturday, but they recovered well enough to finish the weekend with a commanding victory led by their most modern player. Abhishek Sharma, who lit up IPL 2024 with his blazing, all-in heroics at the top of the order, gave international cricket its first glimpse of his potential on Sunday, blasting Zimbabwe with a 46-ball century, the joint third-fastest by an Indian batsman in Twenty20 Internationals.
That performance propelled India to 234 for 2 away from home, their second-highest T20I total, and left Zimbabwe required to pull off their most successful chase – having only ever taken down a target of more than 199.
Zimbabwe’s innings continued to struggle after the powerplay, with Ravi Bishnoi appearing especially unhittable – Johnathan Campbell swept and reverse-sweeping in growing despair, failed to put bat to five consecutive balls from him and bottom-edged the sixth ball into his body.
Wessly Madhevere batted from the start of the pursuit until the 17th over, scoring 43 off 39 balls. Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 134 with eight balls remaining, with Mukesh and Avesh both taking three wickets and Bishnoi concluding with two for 11 from four overs.
They didn’t come close, as India’s considerably better bowling attack took full advantage of a two-paced pitch while protecting a well-above-par score. The winning margin of exactly 100 runs properly summarized the contest.
Zim vs Ind T20i Match 3:
Despite Avesh Khan allowing 18 runs in the penultimate over, India achieved a critical win, taking the five-match series 2-1. Zimbabwe fell 23 runs short of the 183-run target, finishing on 159 for 6.
India demonstrated excellent technique with both bat and ball. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad helped India reach 182, while Washington Sundar’s three wickets for 15 runs dominated the bowling attack. Avesh Khan provided two wickets.
Zimbabwe battled early on, scoring 60 for 5 in the first 10 overs. However, a 77-run sixth-wicket stand between Dion Myers and Clive Madande helped them get back into the game. Myers achieved his first T20I fifty, going unbeaten on 65 from 49 balls. Zimbabwe’s misfields and missed catches boosted India’s impressive score.
Zimbabwe has to approach the remainder of the series carefully. They must concentrate on mastering the fundamentals; lost catches increased their losing margin in the second T20I. Furthermore, they must be realistic about their goals, realizing that younger players – picked over seasoned veterans like Sean Williams and Craig Ervine for this series – need time to develop.
Has Zimbabwe ever won against India?
India and Zimbabwe have played 11 T20 matches. Of these 11 games, India has won eight, while Zimbabwe has won three. Also, most recently, during the India tour of Zimbabwe 2024 5-match T20i series, Zim won their first game against India.
Zimbabwe vs India 4th T20i Match Prediction:
India will start as favourites in the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe on Saturday in Harare. India’s batsmen are world-class and a little too powerful for Zimbabwe. This is the primary difference between the two units. India’s bowlers are also getting plenty of support from the wicket. Look out for Yashasvi Jaiswal in the encounter. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, India has an 80% chance of winning the match and thus the series.
Venue and Pitch report:
The Harare Sports Club played host to 44 T20I matches, with the team that batted first winning 26 of them. However, in 24 matches, the captain who won the toss decided to chase. The chance of winning the game after winning the toss is 54.55%. The average first-inning score is 158, while the average second-inning score is 139. The highest overall score at the venue is India’s 234/2 versus Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the current series, while the lowest team total is Zimbabwe’s 90 against Afghanistan in 2022.
Zimbabwe vs India Key Players:
1 Rinku Singh: Rinku Singh is India’s latest finisher in T20 cricket. He has had an excellent start to his T20I career, scoring 405 runs in 14 innings at an impressive strike rate of 178.41. Rinku possesses a unique power to clear the ropes at command. Although Rinku has not got a lot to do in this series, he will be relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents in the upcoming match at the weekend.
2 Blessing Muzarabani: Blessing Muzarabani gave only 25 runs in his four overs in the third T20I, taking both the wickets of Gill and Gaikwad. He has been extremely restrictive throughout the series and will be looking to make a mark in the upcoming Zim vs Ind matchup.
Zimbabwe vs India series Winner Prediction:
We at GUGOBET predict India to win this ongoing 5-match series against Zimbabwe over the weekend, claiming wins in both, the 4th as well as the 5th T20i matches. Despite losing the first game, Ind has bounced back strongly and has better players compared to Zimbabwe. Also, despite this being India’s second-string lineup for the T20is, most of their players have immense experience in this particular format of the game. Hence, Team India is the clear favourite for this series.

