HARARE: Abhishek Sharma scored a blistering century to help India thump Zimbabwe by a huge 100-run margin in the second T20I to level the three-match series here at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
India, after suffering a narrow loss yesterday, bounced back in the second match of the series as they bundled Zimbabwe for 134 while defending a massive 234.
Mukesh Kumar drew first blood for India during their defence as he removed Innocent Kaia (4) in the first over.
Brian Bennett played a nine-ball cameo of 26 runs with one boundary and three sixes, including back-to-back sixes against Kumar. However, Kumar got the last laugh as he bowled Bennett on the next ball.
Avesh Khan dismissed Dion Myers (0) and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza (4) in the next over to reduce the batting side to 46-4 in four overs.
Johnathan Campbell scored 10 off 18 in a scratchy 26-run partnership with opening batter Wessly Madhevere before Washington Sundar ended the former’s brief stay on the crease.
Madhevere and Luke Jongwe added 41 runs for the eighth wicket, however, the target was out of reach with the required run-rate going over 20 runs.
Ravi Bishnoi castled Madhevere, who top-scored for Zimbabwe with 43 off 39, which included three boundaries and one six.
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Meanwhile, Jongwe was the last wicket to fall as the hosts bundled for 134 in 18.4 overs. He scored a 26-ball 33 with four boundaries.
Avesh Khan returned with bowling figures of 3-15, while Mukesh Kumar claimed 3-35.
Earlier in the day, Indian captain Shubman Gill opted to bat first, however, he fell in the second over after scoring a mere two runs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad joined Abhishek Sharma on the crease and together they wreaked havoc on Zimbabwe bowlers.
They constructed a partnership of 137 runs for the second innings in 76 balls with Sharma being the chief contributor.
Sharma, playing his second T20I game, scored his maiden century in the format in 46 balls with a six off Wellington Masakadza. However, he got out in the next ball, finishing with 100 off 47 with the help of seven fours and eight sixes.
Rinku Singh joined hands with Gaikwad and carried the momentum, adding 87 runs in six overs to help their team score a massive 234-2 in their allocated 20 overs.
Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 77 off 47 with the help of eleven boundaries and one six, while Singh scored 48 off 22 with five sixes and two fours.
For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza claimed one wicket each.
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