India and Zimbabwe faced each other in the second ODI on Saturday at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. Indian Captain KL Rahul once again won the toss and invited Regis Chakabva’s men to bat first. The Indian team made one change to their playing XI and brought the allrounder Shardul Thakur in place of Deepak Chahar who was named ‘Player of the Match’ in the last game.
The Zimbabwe openers Innocent Kaia and T. Kaitano walked in to bat to put up an improved performance than the first ODI. The openers once again gave a reserved start and were cautious early on. Their slow start didn’t last long as Mohammad Siraj drew first blood for India as he sent Kaitano on his way back to the pavilion. After Siraj, Shardul Thakur got into the act and sent the other opener Kaia back into the pavilion. He further did more damage to the Zimbabwe team by dismissing their captain Regis Chakabva in the same over.
The Zimbabwe team once again looked helpless in front of the Indian bowling attack as they kept on losing wickets in quick succession. The two batters who looked good in the middle were Sean Williams and Ryan Burl. Williams scored 42 while Burl remained not out on 39 as Zimbabwe got all out on 161 in 38.1 overs. Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers for India who picked up 3/38 in seven overs.
The Indian chase got off to the worst possible start as they lost their captain KL Rahul in the second over. Despite losing the early wicket, Indian batters continued the attack on the Zimbabwe bowlers. India kept on losing wickets throughout the chase but that didn’t affect their run rate as the batters kept on batting with intent.
Sanju Samson who remained unbeaten on 43 guided India to a 5-wicket victory taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Apart from Samson, Shubhman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan also contributed a valuable 33 each. The two teams will now meet for the third and final ODI on 22nd August at the same venue.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s series victory:
*Most wickets, India vs Zimbabwe (ODIs)*
45: Ajit Agarkar, IND
39: Heath Streak, ZIM
34: Anil Kumble, IND
32: Zahir Khan, IND
30: Javagal Srinath, IND#INDvsZIM— Fantasyplay (@FantasyPlayApp) August 20, 2022
Samson>Sharma.
Iyer>Kohli.Indians will realise this too late. #INDvsZIM #INDvZIM #ZIMvsIND #ZIMvIND #IndiavsZimbabwe
— Destroyer of Lambu Aatta (@Bullakhulla2) August 20, 2022
This is why KL needed to open in the last match. Coming back from surgery, needs as much match-practice. https://t.co/K55ofy5Hji#INDvsZIM #INDvZIM #ZIMvsIND #ZIMvIND #IndiavsZimbabwe
— Destroyer of Lambu Aatta (@Bullakhulla2) August 20, 2022
?? Zimbabwe vs ??India 2nd ODI
Sanju Samson finishes with a massive six down the ground helping @BCCI win the match and also the series with one to go.@ZimCricketv put on a decent fight by giving all they have.
#CricketTwitter #ZIMVSIND #Cricket
— The Third Man Cricket Show (@ThirdCricket) August 20, 2022
Zimbabwe last five ODI totals vs India:
168 (49.5 overs)
126 (34.3 overs)
123 (42.2 overs)
189 (40.3 overs)
161 (38.1 overs)#ZIMvIND— CBTF Speed News (@cbtfspeednews) August 20, 2022
Evans should have opened for Zimbabwe in bowling .#indiavszimbabwe
— CricKabila (@MTapree) August 20, 2022
I am watching India vs Zimbabwe 50 over game, Zimbabwe going down but full house and the enthusiasm and love for the game is wonderful. After all the negativity on #CricketTwitter it’s lovely to see
— KatMaxie (Evelyn ) (@maxie_kat) August 20, 2022
Zimbabwe crowd deserve more matches #indiavszimbabwe #ZimbabwevIND
— Mayank lakhchaura (@me_mayank_og) August 20, 2022
#Congrats to #TeamIndia for yet another series win
There was a different approach from #IND today and I enjoyed it, esp #SanjuSamson batting #INDvsZIM #ZIMvIND #CricketTwitter
— Syed Yusuf Mehdi ?? (@yusufmehdi) August 20, 2022
Young guns ?? did it, another series win ????.
Sanju Samson ??#ZIMvIND #INDvsZIM— Rajesh~DEV??? (@iamrajeshjena) August 20, 2022
First series win as a captain @klrahul #INDvsZIM
— Priya_777 (@777_priya) August 20, 2022
I really liked the fact that Sanju Samson didn't play any rash shot today. Everything was CLASSY. Showed the improvement in rotation game and patience in shot selection. Bat him at no 3 next time. He thoroughly deserve a big score#INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/gFX9ExlGza
— ????? ????? (@Brutu24) August 20, 2022
