First time in history: India achieves gigantic feat with victory over Zimbabwe

The Indian cricket team created history by becoming the first T20I team to record 150 wins in the shortest format of the sport after their 23-run victory over Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Skipper Shubman Gill scored a brilliant half-century while Washington Sundar excelled with the ball as India beat Zimbabwe in the third T20I encounter to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. It was the 150th T20I victory for India – the most by any team in the format. Pakistan is second on the list with 142 wins, while New Zealand is third with 111, followed by Australia (105) and South Africa (104).

Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill praised the team’s “remarkable” effort on a two-wicket wicket in defeating Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I to secure a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The stylish Indian opener returned to form with a 49-ball 66 to take them to 182 for four before the bowlers restricted the hosts to 159 for six.

This was the second successive victory for India, as they recovered from the reversal in the first game to take the lead. “It was a crucial match for us and the way we started with batting and bowling was remarkable,” Gill said during the post-match presentation.

India made a resounding comeback in the second T20I where they posted a mammoth 234 for 2.

Asked if he was a little disappointed that the team couldn’t reach 200 in the third T20, Gill said: “…the wicket was a bit double, the odd ball was grabbing and it wasn’t easy to hit the long ball.”

“We just wanted to keep hitting the ball as well. We know if there’s something on the wicket, it’s there for the bowlers. Everyone contributed, from the openers to the bowlers.” Washington Sundar, who was named man of the match, was happy with the execution of the plan as he returned with figures of three for 15 in four overs.

“It’s incredible, honestly. Every time I play for the country, it feels incredible. It was a better wicket. There was something else for the bowlers in the first two games.

“The way the Zimbabwe batsmen played put pressure on us. They (Myers and Madande) put a lot of pressure on us. We wanted to execute everything that was planned. We want to finish the series on Saturday.” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza lamented the failures on the field.

“I think it’s the fielding again, we are proud of our fielding but the wheels fell off today, we gave 20 extra runs and lost by 23 runs,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)