(AFP Photo)
Shubman Gill etched his name in Indian cricket history during his maiden stint as captain in the T20I series on Sunday, July 14. Leading the Indian men’s team abroad, Gill became the first Indian captain to secure victory in four T20Is in a single series overseas. The decisive 42-run triumph in the fifth T20I at Harare Sports Club showcased the prowess of the 24-year-old right-handed batsman.
Taking charge amidst the absence of senior players, the Punjab-born cricketer not only captained but also excelled with the bat, accumulating a total of 170 runs across five matches. His leadership was instrumental in India’s remarkable comeback after a setback in the series opener against Sikandar Raza’s side, culminating in a commanding 4-1 series victory.
Gill, the 14th player to lead India in T20Is, now boasts four wins as captain, placing him among the top six most successful Indian T20I captains. His achievements in this series underscore his growing stature in Indian cricket leadership, following in the footsteps of luminaries such as Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav.
In the final showdown at Harare, after being put in to bat by Sikandar Raza for the first time in five matches, India’s explosive start, highlighted by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early sixes, set the stage. Despite setbacks with Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Gill falling quickly, India’s resilience ultimately secured their series triumph.
Following a dramatic collapse of the top order, Sanju Samson partnered with Riyan Parag to forge a crucial 65-run stand for the fourth wicket. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman emerged as India’s top scorer, crafting a resilient 58 off 45 deliveries. His innings also marked a milestone as he became the seventh Indian cricketer to surpass 300 sixes in T20 cricket.
In pursuit of India’s target of 168 runs, Zimbabwe faltered, managing only 125 runs before being bowled out in 18.3 overs. Pacer Mukesh Kumar starred with the ball, claiming four wickets for 22 runs in 3.3 overs, while Shivam Dube contributed both with the ball, taking two crucial wickets, and the bat, scoring a brisk 26 off 12 balls. Dube’s impactful all-round performance earned him the prestigious Player of the Match accolade in the final match of the series.
