Cricket Kitchen

India Defeated Zimbabwe by 90 Runs

July 26, 2026

India registered a commanding 90 runs victory over Zimbabwe in the 2^nd match of the 3 match T20I series, taking an unassailable 2–0 lead in the series. In the match played at Harare Sports Club on July 25, 2026, the hosts Zimbabwe were bowled out for 129 runs in 17.5 overs while chasing India’s massive target of 220 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, Zimbabwe managed to pick up two early wickets. However, a brilliant batting display from Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma helped India post a formidable total.

For India, Ishan Kishan played a superb innings of 81 runs off 44 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes. Captain Shreyas Iyer scored 25 runs from 20 balls, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on a magnificent 60 off 29 balls, striking 5 fours and 3 sixes, guiding India to a strong total of 219/5 in 20 overs. The young lad Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 20 runs off 9 balls, Rinku Singh added 12 runs off 8 balls, and Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 6 runs from 3 balls.

For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri & Brian Bennett claimed one wicket each. Captain Sikandar Raza conceded 47 runs in his four overs but failed to take a wicket.

Chasing the challenging target of 220, Zimbabwe made an aggressive start but kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never managed to recover. Brian Bennett was the top scorer with 32 runs off 19 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes. Tadiwanashe Marumani scored 24 runs, Ryan Burl added 20 & Brad Evans contributed 19 runs off 11 balls. None of the other batters were able to make a significant impact.

India’s bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, bowling Zimbabwe out for 129 in just 17.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 17 runs in 2.5 overs. Debutant Yash Thakur and Prince Yadav claimed 2 wickets each. Ravi Bishnoi, Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma picked up one wicket apiece, while Mayank Yadav remained wicketless.

India played aggressively during the first powerplay, scoring 53 runs. Ishan Kishan completed his half century in just 31 balls, while Tilak Varma reached his fifty in only 23 deliveries. India brought up 200 runs in 18.3 overs and added another 19 runs from the remaining 9 balls to finish with 219 runs, setting Zimbabwe a target of 220.

Zimbabwe scored 49 runs during the powerplay but lost 3 wickets in the same period. Thereafter, India’s spin and medium pace bowlers continued to take wickets regularly, preventing the hosts from building any substantial partnerships.

India’s Ishan Kishan was named the Player of the Match. Along with his brilliant 81 runs off 44 balls, he also took two catches behind the stumps.

With this victory, India has taken a 2–0 lead in the 3-match T20I series.