Tushar Deshpande thanks MS Dhoni's CSK for helping him earn India cap

CSK pacer Tushar Deshpande made his T20I debut for India in the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe on Saturday, July 13. India are currently leading by 2-1 in the series and Deshpande joined the list of cricketers who made his debut for India on the tour.

After putting in good performances first for his domestic side and then for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Deshpande was included in the squad that traveled to Zimbabwe for this five-match series.

Before the match, he was given his cap by former Indian pacer Siraj Bahutule who is now a part of the coaching staff. Deshpande received the cap in the presence of his wife.

Wearing The Blue Feels Proud

Receiving your first #TeamIndia 🧢 is always special ✨ 🇮🇳

Congratulations, #TusharDeshpande 👏#SonySportsNetwork #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/1b6yCSouCC

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 13, 2024

"Very happy to be here. It all goes back to my childhood days when I dreamt of playing for my country. Being here wearing the blue feels very proud. Means a lot to me. The atmosphere is really great here. Playing for CSK in the IPL helped me. That experience will surely help me in the internationals. I started as a batsman, so that comes naturally to me, looking to refine it and I have been working on it. Overall the atmosphere in the team is chill" said Deshpande after receiving his cap.

India won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers put together a stand of 63 in nine overs and the stand was broken by Shivam Dube who is a non-regular bowler for India. Sikandar Raza then played a crucial innings of 46 off 28 balls in the middle-order. He was then dismissed by Deshpande as Raza became his maiden T20I wicket.

Trying to score maximum runs in the final overs, Raza skied a slower one from Tushar Deshpande and was caught inside the circle by skipper Shubman Gill. The ball took the outer half of Raza's bat and went high in the air but did not get any distance.

It was a good effort from the Indian bowlers to pull back the scoring. Khaleel Ahmed picked up two wickets. Deshpande, Sundar, Abhishek Sharma, and Shivaam Dube picked one each.

The Indian batters now need 153 to win the fourth T20I and seal the series. The hosts have the tough task of defending the target and challenging the Indian batters.

Earlier in the game, Shubman Gill, the Indian skipper won the toss and asked Zimbabwe to bat first. After getting a good start they lost their way in the middle overs and scored their final fifty rus of just under 30 balls.

"We'll bowl first. Looks like a fresh wicket. Hopefully, there's going to be something in it for the fast bowlers. The death bowling is where we can improve. We got a little complacent (in the previous match). Tushar Deshpande makes his debut in place of Avesh Khan" said Gill at the toss.

After the Fourth T20I on Saturday, both teams meet the very next day for the fifth and final T20I on Sunday. Zimbabwe need to put in a brilliant effort to win this match and take the series to the decider.