Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe beat T20 World Cup champions India by 13 runs in a shocking turn of events on Saturday (Jul 6) in the first T20I of the five-match series. Chasing a below-par total of 116, India's batters were no match against Zimbabwe's accurate bowling and were bowled out for 102 in 19.5 overs.

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It is to be noted that this was India's first match after winning the T20 World Cup on June 29 and the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli as well as Ravindra Jadeja.

Opener Abhishek Sharma was the first of India's four wickets to fall inside powerplay for a four-ball duck in the first over itself. Ruturaj Gaikwad was the next to go in the fourth over on the team score of 15. 

Also Read: IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I: India's Abhishek Sharma equals MS Dhoni, KL Rahul with duck in debut match

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Riyan Parag, another debutant, and Rinku Singh then departed in the same over with 22 runs on board as India finished the powerplay at 28/4.

Third debutant Dhruv Jurel gave some company to skipper Shubman Gill for the fifth wicket before getting out for a 14-ball 6. Gill's (31) dismissal three balls later in the 11th over on a team score of 47 all but shut the door on India. 

Washington Sundar kept India's innings afloat with 27 runs off 34 but with 16 needed in the last over, he couldn't get the ball over boundary.

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For Zimbabwe, skipper Sikandar Raza finished with 3/25 while Chatara took 3/16. Apart from them, Brian Bennett, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani and Luke Jongwe chipped with one wicket each.

Earlier, Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first as India handed debuts to Parag, Jurel and Abhishek.

Gill's decision was proved right immediately as Mukesh Kumar dismissed Innocent Kaia for a duck on the first ball of the match's second over.

Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett then added 34 runs for the second wicket at a quick pace before leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi clean-bowled Bennett. Zimbabwe finished powerplay with 40 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Bishnoi removed Madhevere in his next over with Zimbabwe just past 50. Skipper Raza and Dion Myers added 23 runs for the fourth wicket but Avesh Khan broke the partnership in the 12th over. Jonathan Campbell also fell in the same over as half of Zimbabwe's side was back in the hut for just 74 runs.

Wicketkeeper Clive Madande, who scored 29, then kept the innings going as Zimbabwe finished at 115/9 in 20 overs. For India, Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers with 4/13 in four overs.

Apart from him, Washington Sundar pitched in with 2/11 while Avesh and Mukesh picked one wicket each.