File image of Rinku Singh.© AFP
India’s 13-run defeat to 12th-ranked Zimbabwe came after the young Indian batting lineup collapsed and were bowled out for just 102 runs. Captain Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar were the only two batters to score more than 20 runs, as the entire middle order failed to fire. From debutants Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag to first team hopefuls Rinku Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad, it was a day to forget for Team India. Parag and Rinku, in particular, faced a lot of backlash from unhappy fans on social media.
Riyan Parag – who became the first player of Assam and north-eastern India to play for Team India – did not have the best debut, making just 2 runs in 3 balls. Rinku made even less, getting out for a two-ball duck.
Recently, Riyan Parag had made a statement that he does not like to watch the T20 World Cup as he’d rather play in it. Fans attacked the statement as Parag faltered in his first India innings.
On the other hand, Rinku had narrowly missed out on India’s 15-member T20 World Cup 2024 squad, as India favoured Shivam Dube and extra spinners. Hoping to impress in the Zimbabwe tour, Rinku, who has had a short but successful T20 career so far, failed to fire and take India to victory.
India have picked a host of debutants and youngsters in their squad for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. With most of the T20 World Cup squad rested, the side is being led by Shubman Gill, who is making his captaincy debut for India.
Earlier, India had restricted Zimbabwe to just 115, courtesy of Ravi Bishnoi’s 4/13. However, Zimbabwe, who had failed to qualify for the 20-team T20 World Cup altogether, put up an inspired bowling performance to bundle India out for just 102 in Harare.
Team India’s youngsters would look to turnaround their fortunes as the two teams square off in the second match of the series on Sunday.
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