stand-in captain KL Rahul He lauded Zimbabwe’s return and taking the game deeper in the third and final ODI played at Harare Sports Club on Monday. He then admitted that he would have preferred to seal victory a little earlier in the match. After Shubman Gill’s top-class maiden ODI century, a 97-ball 130, with 15 fours and a six, took India to 289-8, Zimbabwe were down and out in the run chase at 169-7. Sikandar Raza came on and hit 115 off 95 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes, to push Zimbabwe on the verge of a major victory. Raza shared a 79-ball 104 with Brad Evans (28), who took his first five-wicket haul in ODI cricket, 5-54 in ten overs, as an enthusiastic home crowd cheered him on. With 33 needed from the final three overs, India took the last three wickets, including Evans and Raza, to complete a narrow victory, as Zimbabwe fell short of just crossing the line.
captain #KLRhul , #INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/tJCe0tyzCK— bala ganesh (@balugoud01) 22 August 2022
“Feeling good (on winning the series). We came here with some ideas and wanted to use these games. Some of us haven’t had a game for a while and we wanted to utilize the time. We We were very professional in how we played. Very happy with the result.”
“They took the game deep, we would love to finish the game first. I wouldn’t say panic but Raza and Evans took it deep. But it’s good that we were challenged and the bowlers were tested and they took their nerves. Got caught,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The ODI series against Zimbabwe marked Rahul’s return to international cricket after being out of action due to injuries, sports hernia surgery and a Covid-19 positive result. After winning the toss for the third time in a row, coming to bat first, Rahul was very cautious in the first ten overs.
After the powerplay, he pulled off a backfoot punch and backward square leg off Brad Evans to collect a four and a six respectively. When it was seen that Rahul was ready to go big, he cut down the stumps of Evans, was dismissed for 30 off 46 balls.
“I’ve fielded for about 150 overs and the body feels good. Got some time in between with the bat. I’m tired of coming back after a few months. But that’s what we all want to do, playing for India. I will use this confidence for the next series (T20 Asia Cup).”
Rahul also praised Shubman Gill for being adjudged player of the match and also won the player of the series award. In the series, Gill scored 245 runs in three innings at an average of 122.5 and earned his second Player of the Series award after winning one in the ODI series against West Indies.
“He has batted well throughout the series and has done well in West Indies and IPL. He likes it when he bats and it’s nice to see him use his form and get good runs,” he said. And it is good to see his restraint and to show temperament even if he is not. Played a lot of international matches. Didn’t see him in overconfidence. It requires restraint, to show that kind of temperament is good Is.”
Zimbabwe captain Regis Chakabwa was pleased with the counter-attack from Raza and Evans and was also impressed with the performance of their bowling attack before heading to Australia for the three-match ODI series.
“First of all congrats to India, I thought they played really well. India held their nerves despite Sikander (Raza) and (Brad) Evans giving us a chance. Very positive with the bowling today. Boys on the field Worked really hard.”
“We talk about coming back from tough situations and Raza was brilliant once again. We definitely take a lot of the positives and look to play some good cricket down those things.”