Zimbabwe vs India, T20 World Cup Live 2024, 1st T20I - Live Commentary and Ball by Ball Updates

We are back for the chase. Zimbabwe are in a huddle near the ropes with Sikandar Raza giving a pep talk to his boys. It will be the left-hand right-hand combination of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill to open the innings for India. Zimbabwe are starting with spin in the form of Brian Bennett. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Zimbabwe did manage to gain a bit of momentum towards the end of their batting effort but have fallen short of where they would have wanted to be after being put into bat. Early wickets will be the key for the hosts if they want to make a match out of this. A target of 116 should not be much of an issue for India but as they say, cricket is a funny game and if they are rocked early, the belief in the Zimbabwean camp will grow. Back in a bit for the chase.

As for India, they would have loved to bowl Zimbabwe out and a bit of complacency crept in towards the end, resulting in the inning lasting longer than they would have liked. Mukesh Kumar gave India an early strike but they could not build on that scalp as the Zimbabwean batters took the attack to them and to add to that, Avesh Khan dropped a skier off the bowling of Khaleel Ahmed. It did not take long for Ravi Bishnoi to make an impact and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Avesh Khan opened the floodgates for India by dismissing Raza and then it was the duo of Bishnoi and Sundar that ran through the Zimbabwean lower order. Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers for India, finishing with career-best figures of 4-2-13-4.

A good finish to the innings for Zimbabwe, all thanks to Clive Madande! At 90-9, the hosts were in danger of being bowled out but Madande stepped up to the plate and put up a fighting came to take his side to 115. Zimbabwe were dealt an early blow in the form of Innocent Kaia falling for a golden duck. Coming in at number 3, Brian Bennett threw caution to the wind but could not survive the Powerplay. Innocent Kaia fell soon after and the Zimbabwean hopes rested on the shoulders of their skipper Sikandar Raza. Sensing that he was getting bogged down, Raza tried to break the shackles and perished in doing so. The captain's departure triggered a collapse for Zimbabwe, losing 6 wickets for just 17 runs.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, FOUR! 12 runs off the final over, including 3 boundaries! Zimbabwe will take it. Avesh Khan bowls it on a good length, and outside off, Clive Madande shuffles a bit to the off side and swings across, getting a thickish outside edge that flies over short third for a boundary. Mukesh Kumar sprints to chase the ball but it has got enough gas to breach the fence.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, A regular leg cutter outside off, Clive Madande throws everything at it but mistimes it off the inner half of the bat to long on and refuses the single.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, FOUR! That's a fantastic shot! Avesh Khan looks for another yorker and misses by a couple of inches, and ends up serving a friendly half-volley around off, Clive Madande clears his front leg to access the shot and smashes it down the ground for a cracking boundary.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, A good bumper from Avesh, on off and with pace off as well, Clive Madande swings but misses.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, Follows up with a yorker outside off, Clive Madande looks to shovel it towards the off side but misses.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, FOUR! These are handy runs for Zimbabwe and Clive Madande is putting a crucial cameo out there. Length ball, and well outside off, Clive Madande shuffles outside the off stump and scoops it over short fine for a boundary.

Who will bowl the final over? It will be Avesh Khan (3-0-17-1). Can Clive Madande take Zimbabwe past 110?

Mukesh Kumar to Tendai Chatara, Hits the deck hard, on a good length, Tendai Chatara stays on the back foot and drops it to the pitch. Just 5 from the penultimate over.

Mukesh Kumar to Clive Madande, Misses the yorker and serves almost a knee-length full toss, on the stumps, Clive Madande clears his front foot and spanks it down to long off for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Clive Madande, Short of a good length, and outside off, Clive Madande throws his bat at it and ends up chopping it to the right of point.

Mukesh Kumar to Clive Madande, A vicious bouncer from Mukesh, angling on the bodyline, Clive Madande arches back and misses to execute the upper cut.

Mukesh Kumar to Clive Madande, Back of a length, outside off, Clive Madande hits it through covers for a brace.

Mukesh Kumar to Clive Madande, Finally, Zimbabwe crawl past the three figures! Ravi Bishnoi does well and stops a certain boundary there at point. A low full toss on off, Clive Madande slices it and the ball lands just short of Ravi Bishnoi at point who gets low to make a half-stop and it goes to the deep but saves two for his team.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, A single to end the 18th. Takes the pace off from the ball, and pitches it outside off on a length, Clive Madande waits for it to arrive and guides it to the widish short third for a single.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, Bangs it short again, slower this time, outside off, Clive Madande waits for it and climbs on the bounce but gets a toe-end of the willow to the off side. No run.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, Short and outside off again, Clive Madande slashes at it, and gets off the thickish outer half of the bat towards deep third and scampers back for the second.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, FOUR! That's a proper square cut from Clive Madande! Hits the deck hard, outside off, Clive Madande stands tall, transfers the weight on the back foot and cuts it crisply past backward point for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, Full and on the stumps, Clive Madande clears the front leg and drives it past covers for one.

Avesh Khan to Clive Madande, Good length, outside off, Clive Madande opens the bat's face to guide it behind the square on the off side but misses as the ball keeps a tad bit low on the bounce.

Washington Sundar to Tendai Chatara, In front of the stumps, full in length, Tendai Chatara lunges forward and defends it.

Washington Sundar to Tendai Chatara, Much closer to the stumps now, on a fuller length, Tendai Chatara hits it to point.

Washington Sundar to Tendai Chatara, Full, slow and outside off, Tendai Chatara gets a good stride ahead and eases it in front of cover.

Washington Sundar to Tendai Chatara, Full around off, on a flatter trajectory. This is blocked on the front foot to short extra cover by Tendai Chatara.

Washington Sundar to Tendai Chatara, Full outside off, Chatara plays forward and is beaten on the outside edge.

Washington Sundar to Clive Madande, In the air but just a single! Good length, around off, Clive Madande swipes across aerially with no real timing and the ball lands ahead of deep square leg for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Tendai Chatara, Career-best figures for Ravi Bishnoi, 4-2-13-4! Full and on off, Tendai Chatara blocks it out again to point.

Ravi Bishnoi to Tendai Chatara, Are we surprised? A googly again, that skids through quickly on the leg stump, Tendai Chatara gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Tendai Chatara, Good length, around off, Tendai Chatara blocks it.

Tendai Chatara is the last man in for Zimbabwe.

Ravi Bishnoi to Blessing Muzarabani, OUT! BOWLED'EM! This time Bishnoi gets it through the defences and gets his fourth wicket! Another googly on a fuller length, spinning into the right-hander from off, Blessing Muzarabani has no clue and just swooshes his bat across and misses to connect. The ball goes through the gap between the bat and the pad before breaking into the stumps.

Ravi Bishnoi to Blessing Muzarabani, An appeal for LBW and again, the finger goes up! Ravi Bishnoi is unplayable at the moment! Ravi Bishnoi lands this one outside off, it is a googly that turns sharply into the batter. Blessing Muzarabani is drawn forward and goes to defend it but misreads the wrong'un and the ball goes past the inside edge and pings his front pad. The impact, however, is outside the off stump and hence, Blessing Muzarabani survives.

Blessing Muzarabani comes in at number 9.

Ravi Bishnoi to Luke Jongwe, OUT! LBW! In front of the pegs! That looks pretty plumb in real-time, but Luke Jongwe has anyways challenged it! Review taken. Quicker googly from Bishnoi, on the middle and slightly turning back into the right-hander, Luke Jongwe takes a big stride forward and tries to ease it to the leg side but plays over the line and the ball pings his front pad. UltraEdge shows no bat is involved. Ball Tracking confirms that the impact is in the line of the stumps and the ball is hitting the wickets on the umpire's call. It is all going wrong for the hosts. Zimbabwe 8 down now.

Washington Sundar to Clive Madande, Good length, pitched outside off, Clive Madande rocks back and punches it to the bowler.

Washington Sundar to Luke Jongwe, Short and around off, Luke Jongwe goes on the back foot and pats it wide of point for a single.

Washington Sundar to Luke Jongwe, No hat-trick for Washington Sundar! This goes straight on, fuller and on off, Luke Jongwe plays for the non-existent turn as he presses forward to defend and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Luke Jongwe is in now. He will face the hattrick ball from Ravi Bishnoi.

Washington Sundar to Wellington Masakadza, OUT! OUT! STUMPED! Two in two for Washington Sundar! Zimbabwe's inning is faling apart here. Sundar changes his angle of attack for the left-hander as he comes in from around the wicket now. Tosses it up nicely and gets the ball to dip in front of the batter. Wellington Masakadza lunges to smother the spin but fails to do so. The ball pitches and spins away to go past the outside edge. The keeper, Dhruv Jurel collects it cleanly and is quick to whip the bails off. Jurel is extremely confident and the third umpire is called into action. The replays confirm that Masakadza dragged his back leg outside the crease as he pressed forward and could not drag the foot back in time inside the popping crease. Hat-trick ball coming up.

Is he stumped out? Yup, clearly. Wellington Masakadza's back foot is out of the popping crease when the bails are broken by Dhruv Jurel. OUT.

Wellington Masakadza is in at number 8.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! 100TH T20 WICKET FOR SUNDAR! This was pushed through by Sundar, short and on off, Dion Myers rocks back in his crease and shapes to pull it away with the turn. This goes straight on and pops up a bit off the deck too. Myers ends up chipping it tamely back to Washington Sundar makes no mistake. Sundar gets into the wickets' column now.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, At 95 kph, on a nagging length, on off, Dion Myers slaps it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Ravi Bishnoi to Clive Madande, Sliding on, full and on off, Clive Madande pushes it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

Ravi Bishnoi to Clive Madande, Floats it up does Bishnoi, on off, Clive Madande gets a good stride in and drives it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs. Madande wanted the third run but Myers was in no mood to return.

Ravi Bishnoi to Dion Myers, Much fuller this time and quicker too, on off, Dion Myers hangs back to a delivery he should have played off the front foot. Dabs it in front of short third for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Clive Madande, Drifting in, full and on middle, Clive Madande clips it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Ravi Bishnoi to Dion Myers, A googly on offer this time, on a length on the middle stump, Myers punches it to long on for a run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Dion Myers, WIDE! Another mix-up but no harm this time! Ravi Bishnoi sprays it down the leg side, Dion Myers misses to sweep it away and the keeper too, fails to collect it cleanly and the ball deflects off his gloves towards the point region. Clive Madande is already halfway trying to steal single but Dion Myers says 'No'. Madande obeys and retreats back to the non-striker's end. The fielder at point has a shy at the non-striker's end as well.

Ravi Bishnoi to Dion Myers, FOUR! Nice shot! Full and around off, Dion Myers plants his front leg ahead and drives it past the cover-point gap for a boundary.

Washington Sundar to Clive Madande, Full and turning towards the off-pole, Clive Madande goes back and across, and punches it back to the bowler.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Short and outside off, Myers cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Good length outside off, Dion Myers batter goes for a back foot cut but misses.

Washington Sundar to Clive Madande, Quicker with the arm, on the middle, Clive Madande knocks it down to long on for a single.

Washington Sundar to Clive Madande, Loops it on off, full in length, Clive Madande strides out and blocks it to the off side.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Short and angling in, on leg, Dion Myers tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Avesh Khan to Johnathan Campbell, OUT! RUN OUT! A massive mix-up in the middle and this is catastrophic for Zimbabwe! Avesh lands it on a back of a length, on off, Johnathan Campbell hops and taps it in front of the backward point region and calls his partner for a single. He says 'no' but it is too late for Dion Myers to retreat. Myers is at the batting end by then and Washington Sundar calmly collects and lobs it towards the bowler who does the rest. The third umpire is called into action to check who will be dismissed here. The replays show that Dion Myers, who ran towards the batting end had crossed Campbell and therefore, it will be Campbell who has been adjudged out. Clive Madande is the new batter in for Zimbabwe!

Courting chaos in the middle! A suicidal run out just when Zimbabwe needed a good resilient partnership. Now the question is which batter has to go as both of them were at the non-striker's end. After confirming through the replays, the TV umpire affirms that it is Johnathan Campbell who has to depart.

Johnathan Campbell is the new man in at number 6 for Zimbabwe.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Sikandar Raza was itching to take Avesh Khan on and he holes out now. A good catch by Ravi Bishnoi and this is a big blow to the hosts. Avesh lands it on a short of a good length, around off, Sikandar Raza stays in the crease and shapes up to go downtown. There's that extra bounce again which results in the ball hitting the splice of Raza's bat and it goes only as far as long on. Ravi Bishnoi runs in off ropes to his right and dives in front to take a safe catch.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, Avesh pulls his length back and gets a bit of extra bounce off the surface, on off, Sikandar Raza waits to steer it down to deep third but fails to make any connection as the ball rises and beats the bat.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, Swing and a miss! Fuller in length, in the channel on off, Sikandar Raza swings to go back over the bowler's head but connects with thin air.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, Avesh attempts the slower delivery but ends up serving a low full toss, outside off, Sikandar Raza is unable to take full toll of it. Raza reaches out and knocks it to mid off.

Avesh Khan to Dion Myers, At 137 kph, on off, on a good length, Dion Myers taps it in front of mid on and calls Raza through for a single.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, A bit of extra bounce on this one, short and around off, Dion Myers adjusts well and runs it down to the left of short third where Ravi Bishnoi makes a tumbling stop and cuts it off. They cross.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Fires it in, on off, on a length, Dion Myers defends it out with a straight bat.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Drops it short again, turning in, on middle and leg, Dion Myers hangs back and pulls it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Sees the batter make room and follows him does Sundar, on a nagging length, Dion Myers pushes it from the crease to mid-wicket.

Washington Sundar to Dion Myers, Pushes it through, flatter and shorter, outside off, Dion Myers makes room for the cut but gets beaten for pace there.

Washington Sundar to Sikandar Raza, Starts off on a nagging length, turning in, on middle, Sikandar Raza hops and steers it in front of short third for a single.

Washington Sundar has now been introduced into the attack now.

Avesh Khan to Dion Myers, Swing and a miss! Outside off on almost a shortish length, Dion Myers slashes hard at it but only manages to connect thin air. Halfway done, Zimbabwe are 69/3.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, Short in length and on the top of the middle, Sikandar Raza transfers the weight on the back foot reading the length well, and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Avesh Khan to Dion Myers, Hard length, outside off, Dion Myers pushes it towards backward point for a single.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, Follows up with a short-pitched delivery outside off, Sikandar Raza slashes it to mid off for a quick single.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Oh, that was begging to be hit, quite literally! First six of the day! Avesh Khan lands it right underneath the bat, on the stumps line, Sikandar Raza presents the full face of the bat and thumps it downtown with a good extension of arms for a six.

Avesh Khan to Sikandar Raza, Starts off from over the stumps, on a length and on the stumps, Sikandar Raza blocks it to mid-wicket.

Avesh Khan comes on to bowl now.

Abhishek Sharma to Dion Myers, Bowls it flat and on middle, Dion Myers sweeps it with no real timing towards deep fine and gets two to end the over.

Abhishek Sharma to Dion Myers, Darts it in, short and on middle, Dion Myers rocks back and knocks it back to Abhishek.

Abhishek Sharma to Dion Myers, Tosses it up, full and on middle, Dion Myers presses forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Abhishek Sharma to Sikandar Raza, Short and around leg, Sikandar Raza pushes it to long on for one.

Abhishek Sharma to Dion Myers, Short in length, around off, Dion Myers mistimes his pull shot towards mid-wicket for a single.

Abhishek Sharma to Dion Myers, FOUR! Streaky but it races away! Tossed up, full and outside off, Dion Myers goes for an expansive cover drive but is a bit early on his shot and slices off the thickish outside edge towards deep third for a boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Dion Myers, Flatter and quicker outside off, Dion Myers hangs back and cuts it to deep point for one.

Dion Myers is the new man in.

Ravi Bishnoi to Wessly Madhevere, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Ravi Bishnoi is not an easy man to sweep! Wessly Madhevere was anyway playing with fire here trying to connect that sweep shot. But, he couldn't, even once. Bowls it on a length, and pitches it full, Wessly Madhevere is again down on a knee trying to play that premeditated sweep shot. Plays down the wrong line again and the ball this time crashes into the stumps. Ravi Bishnoi strikes and Zimbabwe are three down now.

Ravi Bishnoi to Wessly Madhevere, Flighted delivery around off, Madhevere paddles it in the fine leg region for a brace.

Ravi Bishnoi to Wessly Madhevere, Pushes it through, shorter and quicker, on middle and leg, Wessly Madhevere looks to work it away on the leg side but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the back pad.

Ravi Bishnoi to Wessly Madhevere, Another appeal but this is only an excited one rather than a confident one. Flighted one around leg, full in length, Wessly Madhevere again goes for a risky sweep shot and misses and wears on the front pad. But it visibly looks like it is sliding down the leg side. The umpire thinks likewise as well.

Ravi Bishnoi to Wessly Madhevere, Ravi Bishnoi is really confident but the umpire says 'No'. After a long chat, Shubman Gill opts for a review for caught behind. Or is it for stumping? Yes, it is for the stumping. Ravi Bishnoi slides it on the leg stump line and keeps it full and quick, Wessly Madhevere premeditates the sweep shot but the length is not ideal to play that shot and he misses. Dhruv Jurel collects the ball and flashes off the bails in a jiffy. The side on replay shows that Wessly Madhevere's foot is well inside the popping crease. NOT OUT appears on the giant screen.

Abhishek Sharma to Wessly Madhevere, On a flatter trajectory by Abhishek, quicker too, on off, Wessly Madhevere goes back and cuts it to backward point for a single to retain the strike.

Abhishek Sharma to Sikandar Raza, Slightly pulls his length back, on off, Sikandar Raza dabs it to short third for one.

Abhishek Sharma to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Excellent shot! Abhishek serves an arm-ball, but full and in front of the pegs, Sikandar Raza sits on his knee and sweeps it past backward square leg for a boundary.

Abhishek Sharma to Sikandar Raza, Quicker and fuller on off, turning a shade away, Sikandar Raza aborts from the shot and lets it go.

Abhishek Sharma to Sikandar Raza, Good proactive running there! Tossed up around off, Sikandar Raza gets low and tickles it to the deep fine region and scampers back for the double.

Abhishek Sharma to Wessly Madhevere, Around the stumps, length ball turning away from the right-hander, Wessly Madhevere sees it closely and cuts it to cover-point for one.

It will be spin from both ends as one of the three debutants for India, Abhishek Sharma comes on to bowl.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sikandar Raza, Completely deceived him there! Another deceptive googly, turning in from outside off, and pitching on the fuller length, Sikandar Raza anticipates the ball to turn away but fails to read the googly off Bishnoi's hand, goes for a drive through the covers and the ball catches the inside edge, passes close to the leg stump and towards short fine.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sikandar Raza, Flattens his trajectory this time, on the stumps, Sikandar Raza reads it well and punches it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sikandar Raza, Slides through to the leg stump line, on a length, Sikandar Raza misses to flick and wears on the front thigh pad and then to the strip.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sikandar Raza, This one stays very low, on the pads, full in length, Sikandar Raza brings his bat down in time and blocks it to the leg side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sikandar Raza, Tossed up a bit outside off, 92 kph, Raza presses forward to defend it and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

The captain of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza walks in now.

Ravi Bishnoi to Brian Bennett, OUT! BOWLED! Oh, what happened here? Dhruv Jurel is very convinced that Brian Bennett is gone and the bail has come off the stumps. Ravi Bishnoi starts off with a wrong'un, pitching on the length and turning into the off-pole from outside off, Brian Bennett plays down the wrong line and the ball sneaks past his inside edge as he is beaten all ends up. UltraEdge shows there's no nick on it when the ball passes the bat. The replays come up with multiple angles and confirm that the bail has been dislodged from the off stump. And the on-field umpire reverses the decision to OUT.

Will Mukesh Kumar too get his third over? Nope, spin has been introduced now. Ravi Bishnoi replaces Mukesh.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, FOUR! Lucky boundary but they all count! Angling away, on a short of a length, outside off, Wessly Madhevere leaves nothing in the tank and swings to go back over the bowler's head. Gets an outside edge that races well wide of deep third for four more runs. An over where Khaleel Ahmed should have had a wicket, has instead gone for 17 runs.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, FOUR! Dispatched! Too short and on off, Wessly Madhevere stands tall and flat bats this disdainfully over wide mid on for a cracking boundary.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Short and going across the batter, on off, Wessly Madhevere tries to latch onto the width but misses out on the connection this time as the ball sails over his bat.

Khaleel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, Slips it on a length, on middle, Brian Bennett whips it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Khaleel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, PUT DOWN! Avesh Khan has made an absolute meal of it! Brian Bennett continues to ride his luck. Khaleel serves it on a hard length this time, on off, Brian Bennett hangs on the back foot and stays leg side of the ball to go up and over point. Gets it off the outer half of the bat and this goes straight to the man at deep backward point. Avesh Khan is looking into the sun but he has his shades on. Never looked comfortable under the skier and in the end, does not even manage to lay a hand on it. To rub salt into the wounds, the ball trickles behind for a boundary.

Khaleel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Streaky but Brian Bennett will take it! Khaleel angles it across from over the wicket, on a length, outside off, Brian Bennett goes deep in his crease and throws the kitchen sink at it. Gets an outside edge that flies over the leaping first slip fielder for a boundary.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, Leg bye! Angles it in now does Mukesh, on middle and leg, on a short of a length, Brian Bennett clears his front leg and swings to go big on the leg side. Fails to get any bat on it but crosses over quickly as the ball rolls off his pads on the leg side.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, At 134 kph, on a back of a length, outside off, Brian Bennett stays leg side of the ball and flays at the delivery but gets beaten as the ball sneaks under the horizontal bat.

Mukesh Kumar to Wessly Madhevere, A hint of inward movement off the deck, on a good length, on the off pole, Wessly Madhevere lets the ball come to him and dabs it in front of backward point for a well-judged single.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, Misfield! Slanting in, on a short of a good length, on middle, Brian Bennett hops back and nudges it in front of mid-wicket where Abhishek Sharma fumbles and concedes a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Wessly Madhevere, Quick single taken! Length delivery, on off, Wessly Madhevere gets half-forward and drives it on the up in front of Shubman Gill at mid off for a run.

Halt! Oopsie! That must have hurt him! Wessly Madhevere has taken a hit right on his helmet grill in the front. A mandatory concussion check is to follow. The physio rushes out to the middle in no time. Wessly Madhevere is getting hydrated as well. Also, Washington Sundar is seen warming up near the ropes. Is he gonna be the next one to bowl? Looks like Madhevere is good to continue now, yes pretty much so.

Mukesh Kumar to Wessly Madhevere, Ouch, Wessly Madhevere has copped it flush on the grill of the helmet! Madhevere looks rattled by the blow and the mandatory concussion check will follow now. This was a well-directed bumper by Mukesh Kumar, aimed at the helmet of the batter, Wessly Madhevere shaped up for the pull but got beaten for pace there and the ball took off a bit to hit him bang on the helmet.

Change? Nope, Mukesh Kumar (1-0-8-1) to continue.

Khaleel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, Hurls it on a hard length and tucks the batter up for room, on middle, Brian Bennett stays back and stabs it down on the off side.

Khaleel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, Play and a miss! Fuller in length and angling across the batter, Brian Bennett throws his hands at the delivery while staying rooted in the crease and connects with thin air.

Khaleel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Up and over! Short and wide on off, Brian Bennett gets the width he needs and he does not miss out. Rises the bounce by getting on his toes and slaps it over point for a boundary.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, A mix-up but no harm done! Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Wessly Madhevere turns it to the left of mid-wicket where Abhishek Sharma dives to cut it off. The batters stutter for the single but eventually cross over.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Banged into the deck by Khaleel and outside off, Wessly Madhevere swivels in the crease for the pull but misses out as the ball sneaks under the bat.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Going across the batter, on a length, on off, Wessly Madhevere pushes it from the crease towards cover.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, EDGED AND FOUR! Just over! Mukesh goes into the wicket, on off, Brian Bennett hangs back and pokes at the delivery in front of his body. Gets an outside edge that flies towards the second slip but luckily for Brian, the ball evades a leaping Ruturaj Gaikwad and races away for a four.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, So nearly dragged it back onto his stumps there did Brian Bennett! Mukesh delivers it full and just outside off, not wide enough for Brian Bennett to free his arms for the drive. Gets an inside edge but gets lucky there as the ball goes back onto the pads and not back onto the stumps.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle, Brian Bennett gets on his toes and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, Keeps it full but the line is much straighter this time, shaping in, on middle, Brian Bennett gets behind the line of the ball and defends it out to the right of the bowler.

Mukesh Kumar to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Width on offer and Brian Bennett cashes in! Mukesh errs in line as he bowls it too wide on off, full as well, Brian Bennett stays rooted in his crease and extends his hands to drive it past point for a boundary.

Mukesh Kumar to Innocent Kaia, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Perfect start for Mukesh Kumar! Strikes with his first delivery and Innocent Kaia falls for a golden duck. Mukesh hurls it full in length from over the wicket, in the corridor of off, Innocent Kaia goes for the drive away from the body but there is no foot movement whatsoever. Pays the ultimate price as the ball nips back in enough to catch the inside edge and it goes on to uproot the leg pole. Couldn't be a better start for Mukesh Kumar.

Brian Bennett is in at number 3.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, And again! Khaleel bangs it on a hard length and angles it away from the right-hander, outside off, Wessly Madhevere fiddles at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Beaten! Good length delivery pushed across, Wessly Madhevere pushes at it without moving his feat at all, plays away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Serves it on a hard length, on off, Wessly Madhevere pats it in front of cover and looks for a single but gets sent back by his partner and rightly so.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Edgy! In the channel on off, on a hard length, has a feel for the delivery away from his body. Gets a thickish outside edge that races down to deep third where Mukesh Kumar sprints to his left and makes the stop with his feet. Two runs taken.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Khaleel pulls his length back and angles the ball across the right-hander, outside off, Wessly Madhevere watchfully lets it go through to the keeper.

Khaleel Ahmed to Wessly Madhevere, Lovely start to the game for Wessly Madhevere and Zimbabwe! Khaleel steams in from over the wicket and pitches it right up, full and around off, springs on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat. Drives it to the right of mid off for the first boundary of the game.

Done with the anthems and the pre-match formalities. It is now time for the action to commence at the Harare Sports Club. Well, guess what, it is winter in this South African nation, but the sun is shining to its full glory with the temperature being in the mid-20s. Quite a warm winter, isn't it? Jokes apart, the two umpires make their way out to the middle. The Indian players can be seen having the last-minute huddle talk before dispersing out to the field. And again, just a reminder, India is striding out with three debutants - Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Out walk the two Zimbabwean openers, Wessly Madhevere along with Innocent Kaia. The talented left-arm pacer, Khaleel Ahmed has the new ball and will begin the proceedings for India with two slips in place. And, here we go...

Well, just a few moments away from this first T20I to begin! But before that, the two sets of players make their way out with the match officials for their respective national anthems. It will be the Indian national anthem first, followed by that of Zimbabwe.

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo is pitchside. He begins by saying that this is a nice firm surface with a good covering of green grass. Looking at the surface, he mentions it is a good batting track and won't change throughout the 40 overs. Ends up saying that 150-160 would be a good score here.

The Zimbabwean skipper, Sikandar Raza says that he does not mind batting first. Feels that the weather has improved over the past week and feels that there won't be moisture. States that the wicket looks good to bat on. Tells that he is very excited to lead a young side and hopes that the youngsters can keep the flag flying high. Further says that it is a moment of pride for him to be leading the nation. Expects the young guys to come out and put up a good fight. Informs that Richard Ngarava misses out but hopes that the left-arm seamer is fit for the remainder of the series. Also says that Craig Ervine has rested for this series but has a role to play going ahead.

Shubman Gill, the captain of India, says it looks like a good surface and reckons it won't change much throughout. Says that they want to know the score they are chasing. Further tells that you always have certain expectations from yourself. Informs that Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel are making their debuts.

India (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Abhishek Sharma (On debut), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag (On debut), Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (WK) (On debut), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (C), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (WK), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in the favour of Shubman Gill. India have opted to BOWL first.

As they say, 'The end is just the beginning' and it couldn't be more true for India, who will embark on a new era with the T20I retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. A young Indian side, featuring players rewarded for their performances in the Indian T20 League, has descended upon the African nation, with Shubman Gill leading the pack. As confirmed by Gill in the pre-match press conference, Abhishek Sharma is set to make his debut, and it will be just the first of many debuts India plan to hand out over the course of the five games. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Having missed out on qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe's journey of revival kicks off right here, right now. What better way to reignite their cricketing fire than by facing the reigning champions? Under the new leadership of head coach Justin Sammons, Zimbabwe bring a fresh blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience to the field. With the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza continuing to be at the helm, his role is crucial. Raza's prowess with both bat and ball will be the cornerstone of Zimbabwe's challenge.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks from Harare where Zimbabwe and India square off in the opening game of the five-match T20I series. More often than not, a winning start sets the tone for the rest of the series, and both teams would want to hit the ground running. Harare Sports Club is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to host the first T20I of the year. It will be interesting to see how the surface plays out compared to last year.

... MATCH DAY ...

While one nation celebrates its T20 World Cup victory, the other laments missing out on the 20-team showpiece event. This is the story of India and Zimbabwe, who are set to clash in a five-match T20I series at Harare Sports Club. After failing to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe are in a transition phase and are looking to start afresh under newly appointed head coach Justin Sammons. Led by Sikandar Raza, the squad features a blend of youth and experience. The squad announcement was headlined by the inclusion of Belgium-born right-handed batter Antum Naqvi, who made waves earlier in the year by becoming the first player to score a triple-century in Zimbabwe's domestic arena. Although his participation is pending confirmation of his citizenship status, he is certainly one to watch out for. Joining him in the batting department are Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Zimbabwe's roster includes talented all-rounders like Brian Bennett, Faraz Akram, and Johnathan Campbell, who all retained their places from the last T20I series against Bangladesh. The pace attack features familiar names such as Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe, and Tendai Chatara. Wellington Masakadza and captain Raza will lead the spin attack, supported by Brandon Mavuta. Fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup, India have sent a young brigade to the African nation with Shubman Gill at the helm. With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announcing their T20I retirements, this series marks the start of a new era in the format for the reigning champions. Players who did well for their respective franchises in the 2024 Indian T20 League have been rewarded while Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, part of the World Cup-winning squad also make the cut. However, due to the delay in departing from the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Beryl, the trio will miss the first couple of T20Is. Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been named as their replacements. Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag, two batters who had a stellar run at the Indian T20 League have received their maiden T20I call up as has Dhruv Jurel. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad form the crux of the Indian batting unit with Rinku Singh taking on the finisher role. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar will shoulder the spin-bowling duties with the latter more than capable of contributing with the bat. Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Tushar Deshpande make up the pace battery for the visitors, making for a well-balanced side on paper. It's all set to be an exciting series between two sides with divergent fortunes over the past year. Will India draw first blood, or will Zimbabwe spring a surprise? We shall find out.