Harare: India crushed Zimbabwe by 90 runs to win the second match and seal the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, thanks to scintillating half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, followed by a disciplined and clinical bowling display. The comprehensive victory helped India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series on Saturday, July 25, at Harare Sports Club, Harare.
Batting first, India posted a massive 219/5, courtesy of a stunning batting display from Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma. Chasing a daunting target of 220, Zimbabwe got off to a promising start, but their batting lineup collapsed after losing five wickets inside the first nine overs. India’s disciplined and clinical bowling attack kept striking at regular intervals, while Zimbabwe’s inability to build substantial partnerships ultimately proved costly, as they were bowled out for 129 in 17.5 overs.
The second match began with Zimbabwe winning the toss and electing to field first. Their decision paid off initially as they removed both openers, Abhishek Sharma (8 off 8 balls) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (20 off 9 balls), inside the first three overs. From 29/2, India recovered well through a crucial 66-run partnership between Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer for the third wicket before Iyer was dismissed for 25. Thereafter, Ishan and Tilak Varma accelerated the innings and took complete control, stitching together a brilliant 94-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put India in a commanding position. Ishan Kishan played an astonishing knock of 81 off just 44 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes at an outstanding strike rate of 184.09. He reached his fifty in 31 deliveries before aggressively accelerating his innings and adding another 31 runs in just 13 balls, completing his 11th T20 half-century. Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on a sensational 60 off 29 balls, hitting five boundaries and three sixes at an excellent strike rate of 206.90. After Ishan’s dismissal, Rinku Singh chipped in with a quick-fire 12 before getting out, while Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 6 off 3 balls, helping India post a commanding total of 219/5 in their 20 overs. While bowling, Zimbabwe started well but eventually ended up being expensive.
Chasing 220, Brian Bennett provided an aggressive start, scoring 32 off 19 balls with three fours and three sixes. However, the breakthrough came through debutant Yash Thakur, who dismissed Bennett and impressed with figures of 2/30. Following the first wicket, Prince Yadav struck twice, removing Ben Curran for 1 and Sikandar Raza for a duck. Ravi Bishnoi then produced a well-executed googly to dismiss Dion Myers, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 49/4 in 6.2 overs. Ryan Burl (20) attempted to rebuild the innings alongside Tadiwanashe Marumani (24), but Zimbabwe failed to build any solid partnerships. Part-time spinners Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma also chipped in effectively with crucial wickets. Tilak Varma dismissed Ryan Burl, who was brilliantly caught by Rinku Singh, while Shivam Dube removed Wessly Madhevere. Abhishek Sharma then bundled out the lower order with an impressive spell, claiming three wickets. With this outstanding all-round performance, Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the record books by registering the best bowling figures by an Indian opener in T20I cricket. The left-arm spinner returned excellent figures of 3/17, surpassing every Indian opener to produce the finest bowling performance by an opener in the shortest format. Abhishek’s effort now stands alongside two iconic performances by Indian openers across formats. In Tests, Vinoo Mankad holds the record with figures of 8/52 against Pakistan in 1952, while Ravi Shastri registered the best ODI figures by an Indian opener with 5/15 against Australia in 1991. In T20Is, Abhishek Sharma now holds the record with his outstanding figures of 3/17 against Zimbabwe in 2026. Zimbabwe was eventually bowled out for 129 in 17.5 overs, and India comfortably won the second T20I of the series by 90 runs. Ishan Kishan deservedly won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant innings.
The victory was also significant for new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, as it marked his first series win after India had lost the previous two T20I series under his captaincy. The triumph also became Team India’s third-largest T20I victory of 2026. India’s biggest win this year was a 96-run victory against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final, while their second-largest win came against Namibia by 93 runs in the same tournament. Now, with this 90-run victory over Zimbabwe, India have recorded their third-biggest T20I win of the year.
Both teams will now face each other in the third and final T20I of the series on Sunday, July 26, at the same venue. Zimbabwe will look to bounce back with a stronger performance and avoid a series whitewash.
