ZIM vs IND 2024: We thought 160 was par but the way they batted even 180 would not have been enough – Sikandar Raza after loss in 4th T20I

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza felt 160 would have been a par score against India in the fourth T20I at the Harare Sports Club, Harare but admitted even 180 would not have been enough with the way India batted. Zimbabwe posted 152-7 after Shubman Gill decided to surprisingly bowl first after winning the toss.

However, the target of 153 was easily achieved by the Indian openers as the visitors won by 10 wickets with 28 balls to spare. Yashasvi Jaiswal was able to hit the ground running as India smashed 61 runs in the Powerplay overs. Jaiswal, who scored the bulk of the runs, raced to his fifth T20I fifty off just 29 balls.

Shubman Gill completed his back-to-back fifty off 35 balls as the Indian openers added an unbeaten alliance of 156 runs to help their team take a 3-1 lead in the series. 

While Jaiswal scored a blistering knock of 93 runs off just 53 balls, Gill scored 58 runs from 39 balls. 

Sikandar Raza said in the post-match presentation, “I think the wicket was a bit damp and we thought 160 was par. But with the way they batted even 180 would have not been enough. We keep growing and learning from each game. I think 8-10 runs more in the last 5 overs.”

He added, “There was a bit of kick and bounce, so we had to rein ourselves in at the start of the innings. The heavy roller in the innings break did the trick for them, it became a beautiful wicket and they could play on the up. There is a game tomorrow and even if we lose 3-2 then we can keep our head high.”

The fifth and final T20I of the series will be played at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Sunday.