Harare: India returned to the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20 team rankings with a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the T20I series at the Harare Sports Club.
The reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions took the No. 1 spot from England, who overtook them following their 4-0 T20I series win at home.
India’s batting unit took center stage in the second T20I, with dominant bowling and Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record innings securing the opening match.
After losing two early wickets, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with a crucial 66-run partnership before Tilak Verma accelerated the scoring with a 29-ball 60.
Kishan was brilliant, scoring 81 off 44 balls to anchor India’s innings. Speaking after the match, the wicketkeeper-batsman highlighted the importance of staying composed despite early setbacks.
“We lost two wickets, but at the same time, as a batsman batting at No. 3, your job is to look at the ball and play your natural game,” Kishan said.
He said a careful assessment of conditions is needed rather than an all-out offensive approach.
“You also have to understand the wicket. There were a lot of ideas whether we would be good enough for 250, 230, or 170-180. Shreyas Iyer came in and we wanted to build a partnership and take the innings deep. I think we executed our plans well.”
In reply to India’s total of 219, Zimbabwe’s batting line-up stuttered from the start, losing five wickets in the first nine overs.
The hosts were eventually bowled out for 129 as India secured a comprehensive win and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, while regaining the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings.