Debutant Barinder Sran’s four-for helped India to a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20 in Harare to level the series.

Sran claimed 4 wickets for 10 runs at an economy rate of 2.50 – the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler on T20 international debut.

Zimbabwe, on a high after claiming victory in the first T20, won the toss and elected to bat first. But their batting let them down as they lost wickets on a regular basis, mainly due to poor shot selection from the batsmen.

India took their first wicket in the third over through Barinder Sran when opener Chamu Chibhabha mistimed a slower delivery and was caught at mid-on by Ambati Rayudu.

It went from bad to worse for the home side in the fifth over when Sran clean-bowled Hamilton Masakadza with the second ball of the over. Three balls later he dismissed Sikandar Raza, who guided the ball for a simple catch for Lokesh Rahul at third-man.

Sran claimed a third wicket of the over with the last ball after Tinotenda Mutombodzi missed a flick with the ball hitting his pads and was given out by umpire Russel Tiffin.

The only Zimbabwean batsman to show any fight was Peter Moor playing in only his seventh T20 international. He scored 30 runs off 31 balls, in an innings that included a six off Axar Patel, but was dismissed after he mistimed his shot and was caught by Patel at point off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. Elton Chigumbura failed to replicate the form that he showed in the first match. Scoring only eight runs.

Zimbabwe played their full 20 overs but didn’t score at a quick enough rate, finishing the innings 99-9 – their lowest T20 first-innings score in Harare.

The opening pair of Lokesh Rahul and Mandeep Singh swiftly steered the ship home for the Indians. Mandeep reached his half-century with the last ball of the match scoring 52 off 40 balls while Rahul scored 47 off 40. The win is India’s first 10-wicket win in T20 internationals.

The decider will be played at the same ground on Wednesday.

Scorecard

Photo: AFP