India’s Shubman Gill Disappointed After Loss to Zimbabwe in First T20I

India’s cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, faced a 13-run defeat against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of a five-match series. Despite a strong bowling performance that restricted Zimbabwe to 115/9, India’s batters struggled, with debutants Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Abhishek Sharma failing to score.

Gill expressed disappointment in the team’s fielding and his own performance. He said, “I think we bowled pretty well, but I think we left ourselves down with the fielding. We weren’t up to our standards, and I think everybody looked rusty.”

India were reduced to 43/5 in the 10th over, but still had hope with Gill and Washington Sundar at the crease. However, Gill’s dismissal by Sikandar Raza turned the game around. Gill added, “Halfway down, we had lost five wickets, and it would have been best for us if I had stayed there to the end, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Very disappointed with the way I got out and the way this whole match turned out.”

Despite a quick-fire cameo from Avesh Khan, Zimbabwe’s bowlers held their nerves, handing India their first T20I defeat of 2024. Gill concluded, “Definitely, there was a bit of hope for us. But you know when you are chasing 115, and you want your No. 10 batter to stay out there, something has gone wrong.”

India will play the second T20I at the same venue against Zimbabwe on Sunday.