IND vs ZIM: Shardul Thakur bowled an excellent spell on his return to the playing XI.© Twitter
After sitting out of the first ODI, India all-rounder Shardul Thakur bowled an excellent spell on his return to the playing XI for the second ODI against Zimbabwe. Shardul bowled a match-winning spell, taking three for 38 in seven overs as India bowled out Zimbabwe for a paltry total of 161 after electing to bowl. In the 12th over, Shardul dismissed opener Innocent Kaia off the first ball, before also getting the better of Zimbabwe captain Regis Chakabva on the final ball. He then added a third after castling Luke Jongwe in the 33rd over.
Watch: Shardul Thakur’s match-winning spell against Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI
Lord Thakur came back into the team with a bang
With some crucial breakthroughs initially, @imShard helped India wrap up Zimbabwe’s innings for #ShardulThakur #TeamIndia #ZIMvIND #SirfSonyPeDikhega pic.twitter.com/Yhe8OgTPBp
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 20, 2022
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson struck an unbeaten 43 to guide India to a five-wicket victory.
Zimbabwe had made a modest 161 after losing the toss and India recovered from losing skipper KL Rahul leg before for one to reach 167-5 with 146 balls remaining.
The result relegates the third match on Monday to a dead rubber, but Zimbabwe will be encouraged after putting up a much better show than two days ago, when they suffered a 10-wicket hiding.
Batting at number six, Samson faced 39 deliveries over 51 minutes and smashed four sixes and three fours.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan and fellow top-order batsman Shubman Gill contributed 33 runs each as India recovered from 5-1 to eventually finish comfortable winners.
Vice-captain Dhawan struck four fours in a brisk innings while the more cautious Gill notched six fours.
Luke Jongwe was the most successful Zimbabwe bowler, taking the wickets of Gill and Ishan Kishan for the loss of 33 runs in four overs.
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The unbeaten 43 and three catches earned Samson the player of the match award and the wicketkeeper said he enjoyed his time in front of the stumps.
(With AFP Inputs)
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