IND vs ZIM: We Felt Sikandar Raza Could Snatch The Game Away From Us – Axar Patel

India overcame the Sikandar Raza storm late in the game to sweep Zimbabwe 3-0 in the ODI with their 13-run win in the third and final ODI in Harare on Monday (August 22).

Indian batter Shubman Gill registered maiden international hundred – 130 in 97 balls – plundering 15 boundaries and a six to take India’s total to 289/8 in the first innings. This was the highest individual score by an Indian batter in Zimbabwe.

Sikandar Raza ton delayed India’s victory

Zimbabwe were 169 for seven with the only significant contribution of Sean Williams (45 off 46) was the highlight of the chase. It was time before Sikandar Raza and Brad Evans combined together to menace India with their 104-run stand.

Evans contributed 28 runs in the burgeoning partnership that brought the climax in the game. Raza, who had a tough time in this series with scores of 12 and 16 in the first two games, played the aggressor’s role in an attempt to spoil the party for the Men in Blues. 

Raza survived the stumping chance off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling while batting on 23. From there on, he slapped a boundary and a six to Deepak Chahar to press the accelerator button. 

Raza smashed Shardul Thakur for three boundaries in the 39th over, which went for 20 runs. Zimbabwe needed 95 runs from the last 10 overs with just three wickets in hand.

But Raza was not ready to leave this without putting a fight. He launched Deepak Chahar for a six-over cover to notch up his sixth ODI ton. Raza smashed Avesh Khan for four and a six to bring the equation to 17 runs of the last two overs.

We felt Sikandar Raza could snatch the game away: Axar Patel

Avesh dented Zimbabwe’s chances before they could get close to the target. The Madhya Pradesh pacer trapped Evans in front of the stumps to end the threatening partnership. 

A stunning catch by centurion Gill calmed India’s nerves as Raza’s spectacular fightback came to an end. 

“The way Sikandar Raza was batting in the last 10 overs, we felt he could snatch the game away. But we backed our plans and did not relax till the last ball. We decided to put in our best effort till the very end. I think that benefited us a lot,” Axar said in the post-match press conference.

“The bowlers executed their plans very well. Avesh Khan was bowling his yorkers, Shardul Thakur was sending down slower ones and wide yorkers. He was mixing it up. Overall, it was an interesting match,” he added.

Some of the Indian players will leave for the United Arab Emirates to join the squad for the Asia Cup 2022, starting on August 27. 

Also Read: IND vs ZIM: Twitter Reacts As Sikandar Raza Hits Sensational Century vs India In 3rd ODI