• Mukesh Kumar dismissed Innocent Kaia with a beauty in Zimbabwe versus India first T20I.

  • India won the toss and opted to field first in Harare.

WATCH: Mukesh Kumar bowls a sharp in-swinger to send Innocent Kaia’s leg-stump for a walk in ZIM vs IND 1st T20I
Mukesh Kumar sends Innocent Kaia's stump for a walk (Screengrab: SonySportsIndia)

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The five-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe commenced on Saturday (July 6) at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. This series marks India’s first cricketing assignment following their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. In the series opener, captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, setting the stage for an exciting contest.

Debuts for promising talents

India introduced three debutants in the match: Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma. While Jurel had some international experience from his Test debut earlier this year, Parag and Abhishek were making their maiden appearances for the national team in this series. The inclusion of these young talents highlights India’s strategy of nurturing future stars by providing them with international exposure in competitive series.

Mukesh Kumar strikes early

The decision to bowl first yielded immediate results, with Mukesh Kumar striking early to dismiss Innocent Kaia. The breakthrough came on the first delivery of the second over. Mukesh delivered a length ball that sharply nipped back in, catching Kaia off guard. Attempting a drive, Kaia got an inside edge, and the ball clattered into the leg stump, sending it cartwheeling. This impressive delivery not only showcased Mukesh’s skill but also set the tone for India’s bowling attack.

Here is the video:

Also READ: Zimbabwe vs India T20I series : Date, Match, Time, Venue, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

Ravi Bishnoi joins the party

After Kaia’s dismissal, Brian Bennett and Wessly Madhevere attempted to stabilize the innings. The pair added 34 runs for the first wicket and seemed poised for a substantial partnership. However, Ravi Bishnoi had other plans. The leg-spinner dismissed Bennett in the 6th over with a brilliant googly. Bishnoi continued his impactful spell by removing Madhevere in his next over, further tightening India’s grip on the match.

Also READ: Saba Karim names the best all-rounder for India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.