So India wraps up another series win. Although they were ran very close in the third ODI, with Sikandar Raza finally stepping up to the party and almost bringing them to the cusp of victory from a lost cause, India ensured that there was no upset on the cards and won a closely contested encounter by 13 runs. While there were a lot of positives to take from this series, there were a few performances that stood out from the rest, and they have been chief contributors for the cause.
Here are the 5 top performers for the visitors from the Zimbabwe vs India ODI series-
1. Deepak Chahar
This series was supposed to be a comeback run for Deepak Chahar to gauge the extent of his fitness as match-sharpness as he made a much-awaited return from a long injury layoff. And safe to say, he did not disappoint on his return to competitive cricket. He made full use of the bowling conditions in the first ODI, and broke the back of the Zimbabwe top-order by taking three out of the first 4 wickets in a space of 2 overs. He returned figures of 3-27 in his 7 overs there, and after being rested for the second game, he once again took 2 wickets in the third game, although he was on the expensive side in the game, he chipped in with key wickets, making his return a success.
2. Shubman Gill
The series finally became Shubman Gill’s breakout party. While he was close to announcing himself globally in the series against the West Indies, rain denied him his chance for that. However, this time there was no rain or storm to deny him his moment and that is exactly what he did.
After a well-made 82 in the first game, Gill unleashed his trademark class and strokes on full show, as he took apart the Zimbabwe bowlers to all parts of the ground, and bought up his maiden ODI century in sublime style. Gill is turning out to be a versatile batsman who can bat anywhere in the top order and that augurs well for the Indian side for the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
3. Sanju Samson
In a side that is replete with quality wicketkeepers who are flamboyant strikers of the ball, the competition for that one spot is absolutely fierce and Sanju Samson is faring well in that regard. He has been safe behind the stumps and has put in contributions with the bat when required, as witnessed in the second ODI, where he played a matured knock and ensured that India reached the target without any further hiccups after suffering a wobble for the first time in the series. Samson has to make sure that he keeps performing whenever he is given the chance to shine because chances will come at a premium from now on.
4. Shikhar Dhawan
While Dhawan may not be regular in Tests and T20s, he is still a key and pivotal figure in the 50-over circuit. And his performances both in West Indies and Zimbabwe have only gone on to cement that fact. Dhawan has been a key component in the side and the way it performs. he is the rock on which the entire team lays its foundations. In a game where Strike-rates matter much more in the years gone by, Dhawan is an antithesis of this in a good way, because he has the ability to accelerate at will and this series has gone on to justify that as well. With Dhawan saying that he wants to be a part of the upcoming 50-over World Cup, these performances will ensure that he will be in and around that side come next year.
5. Axar Patel
Axar Patel has been slowly but surely putting his name forward as a valid competitor for Ravindra Jadeja’s place in the future. While his knock against the West Indies showcased his skills with the long handle, this series showed his qualities with the ball, which is what is his major skill in the game. Throughout the series, he bowled with skill, guile, and managed to put the clamps on Zimbabwe’s batsmen all through his spell.
With him being named in the standby list for the upcoming Asia Cup, Axar’s performance in this series has given the selectors a pretty problem for future tournaments to come, and with the T20 World Cup approaching, he could be in with a realistic shout of making it to the squad.
Joy Barma
23 Aug 2022Thank you for this blog. this is a very informative and useful blog about cricket.