India with another comprehensive performance. The Shubman Gill-led side is leading the five-match series 2-1 with 2 more T20Is left to play. Sikandar Raza has some work to do with his group.
For now, it is me AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Ajay Pal Singh, who, alongside our scorers/analysts Manish Bishnoi and Raju Khariya, brought you all the live-action of this fixture. There is plenty of action in the cricketing arena going on. We will meet you in the next match. Until then, it's cheers!
Shubman Gill (India Captain): "Feels good going 2-1 up in the series, it was a crucial game for us. Yeah definitely it looked like we will go over 200. Slightly two-paced surface. The odd ball was gripping. It was not easy to hit the length ball, that is what me and Ruturaj were talking in the middle. That is the message we gave to our bowlers and they executed it.
Everyone is contributing from openers to the bowlers. It makes the job easier."
Washington Sundar (POTM): "Feels amazing. To perform for the country is always special. Yes, it feels amazing everytime to play a game for the country.
It was definitely a better wicket. In the first two matches, there was something in it for the bowlers. Today, it was much better for batting.
Zimbabwe did put some pressure on us, and that partnership between Myers and Madande did put some pressure on us, but we are happy to go over the line after executing our plans.
We have plenty of places to visit here in Zimbabwe and we want to explore more. Hopefully, we finish the series on Saturday."
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Washington Sundar
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain): "Yeah, I think it is the fielding again. We proud ourselves in the field but the wheels have come off in the last few games. If we had fielded well, we would have been in the game. There is a problem at the top of the order as well, we need to fix that.
Unfortunately, we have tried 15 opening pairs at the top but nothing has worked. It is time the players take the responsibility including myself. I can expect mistakes from youngsters but some of us have played over 40 T20Is and you want them to take the responsibility.
I am an option but you need some experience in the middle order as well. This is the best team we have and we have to back them.
I think we have to stop talking about him (Muzarabani). He has put in a lot of hours behind the scenes. The rewards he is getting, he truly deserves it."
Avesh Khan: "Happy with my performance. But I always think of ways to improve. I always try to tell the skipper that I don't prefer any bowling slot and tell the captain that I am ready to bowl at any time. Always ready to give my best and pick up wickets. The mindset is clear that is to go for the wickets.
Shubman Gill is a bowler's captain. He gives us free space. He listens to the bowlers and sticks to the plan. There is his hand as well in a couple of wickets that I took.
Ravi Bishnoi is a brilliant fielder. Takes some exceptional catches. You have seen him taking such blinders in the IPL as well. He works very hard. He is doing well on the field in international matches as well."
7:41 PM IST & 4:11 PM Local Time: India complete a comprehensive win over Zimbabwe by 23 runs and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Shubman Gill was magnificent with the bat and bowlers did the job for Men in Blue.
Earlier in the match, India had won the toss and opted to bat. Riding on Gill's 66 and Gaikwad's 28-ball 49, they posted 182 runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing his first match of the series, scored 36 off 27. Abhishek Sharma, the centurion from previous game, fell for 10 off 9.
Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza picked up two wickets each.
In reply, India struck early as Avesh Khan removed Wessly Madhevere in the second over. Khaleel struck in the next over to remove Tadiwanashe Marumani.
Dion Myers gave Zimbabwe some hope but it was just too much to do for him in the end. He remained unbeaten on 65 off 49.
Sikandar Raza fell for 15 while Clive Madande chipped in with a handy knock of 37 off 26. Wellington Masakadza hit some big shots in the last few overs and he remained unbeaten on 18 off 10.
Washington Sundar was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/15 from his four overs. Avesh Khan finished with 2/39 while Khaleel Ahmed got 1/15 from his four overs. Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.