(Source X)
CSK’s Tushar Deshpande marked his T20I debut for India in the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe on July 13, joining the ranks of debutants on this tour. His selection follows strong performances in domestic cricket and IPL, earning him a spot in the Zimbabwe series squad.
Deshpande was presented his cap by former Indian pacer Siraj Bahutule, now part of the coaching staff, in a ceremony attended by his wife before the match.
Wearing The Blue Feels Proud
“Very happy to be here. It all goes back to my childhood days when I dreamt of playing for my country. Being here wearing the blue feels very proud. Means a lot to me. The atmosphere is really great here. Playing for CSK in the IPL helped me. That experience will surely help me in the internationals. I started as a batsman, so that comes naturally to me, looking to refine it and I have been working on it. Overall the atmosphere in the team is chill” said Deshpande after receiving his cap.
India, opting to bat first after winning the toss, saw their openers set a solid foundation with a 63-run partnership in nine overs. The breakthrough came from Shivam Dube, an occasional bowler for India. Sikandar Raza then played a pivotal innings, scoring 46 off 28 balls in the middle-order before being dismissed by Tushar Deshpande, who claimed his maiden T20I wicket.
In the pursuit of accelerating towards the end, Raza attempted a big shot off Deshpande’s slower delivery but ended up skying it. The catch was safely taken inside the circle by skipper Shubman Gill, with the ball just managing to get the outer part of Raza’s bat.
India’s bowlers executed well to restrict Zimbabwe’s scoring. Khaleel Ahmed led with two wickets, while Deshpande, Sundar, Abhishek Sharma, and Shivaam Dube each contributed with one wicket apiece.
Now, chasing a target of 153 to win the fourth T20I and clinch the series, India faces the challenge of overcoming Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
Earlier, Indian skipper Shubman Gill had won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that saw Zimbabwe losing their way in the middle overs despite a strong start, ultimately reaching their final fifty runs in just under 30 balls.
“We’ll bowl first. Looks like a fresh wicket. Hopefully, there’s going to be something in it for the fast bowlers. The death bowling is where we can improve. We got a little complacent (in the previous match). Tushar Deshpande makes his debut in place of Avesh Khan” said Gill at the toss.
Following the Fourth T20I on Saturday, both teams will face each other again on Sunday for the fifth and final T20I. Zimbabwe must deliver an outstanding performance to win and force the series into a decisive encounter.
