IND vs ZIM: World Cup winner Sanju Samson smashes 50 to stabilize innings after early collapse, India post 167

In the 5th and final T20I between India and Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, the Men in Blue, who were asked to bat first, saw their top three fall quickly, all for similar scores. Yashasvi Jaiswal was bowled for 12 off 5, Shubman Gill departed for 13 off 14, and Abhishek Sharma went for 14 off 11.

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Team India, in need of someone to stabilize the innings after the early collapse, saw World Cup winner Sanju Samson form a partnership with Riyan Parag. In the process, the wicketkeeper-batter smashed a 39-ball 50. Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) praised the vice-captain's batting.

FIFTY BY SANJU SAMSON IN 39 BALLS. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fLMIOCZXx6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 14, 2024

SANJU SAMSON SMASHED 110 METER SIX 🥶💪 pic.twitter.com/sngQiAKCPo

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 14, 2024

Sanju Samson in his last ODI - Hundred in South Africa.

Sanju Samson in his last T20I - fifty in Zimbabwe.

The Crisis man of India, Sanju. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e0vDsUMLjC

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 14, 2024

Rishabh Pant would fall on ground 5 times attempting to hit a six in T2OIs on other hand Sanju Samson hits sixes so effortlessly !!

Man, I bet if Samson had played 74 T2OIs then he would have already scored twice the runs which Pant scored..... I hope favouritism overs with GG. pic.twitter.com/aLkM8qRkqO

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) July 14, 2024

Samson did his job before he departed for 58 off 45, hitting just one boundary but four maximums. In the 17.3 over, Samson pulled but did not get the elevation or power. Marumani ran at pace and dived from deep mid-wicket to take a very good catch.

As of writing this article, the allotted 20 overs were completed with Team India posting 167 runs after losing six wickets. Shivam Dube, who was dropped by Raza after hitting the ball, saw him get run out on the same delivery. Due had a miscommunication with Rinku Singh (11* off 9) and had to walk back for 26 off 12, smashing 2 fours and as many sixes. Washington Sundar came and faced just a ball and scored just a run.

FIFTY for Sanju Samson!

The #TeamIndia vice-captain reaches his 2nd T20I half-century 👏👏

Follow The Match ▶️ https://t.co/TZH0TNJcBQ#ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/7sHVUYYibh

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 14, 2024

For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani picked up two wickets, while skipper Sikandar Raza started the day by drawing the first blood. Richard Ngarava and Brandon Mavuta also picked up one each.

This is the final game of the 5-match series. Shubman Gill & Co. have already sealed it with a 3-1 lead. However, the hosts will be playing for pride, aiming to lose the series 3-2 instead of 4-1.

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Kumar

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Johnathan Campbell, Faraz Akram, Clive Madande(w), Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani