Zimbabwe’s 10-wicket loss to India is explained by Captain Sikandar Raza as “the heavy roller did the trick

Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe, predicted that the surface would slow down in the second innings in the Twenty20 International series in Harare, and for that same reason, he was content to bat first.

Zimbabwe lost the match by 10 wickets, nevertheless, and the surface remained unchanged in the second half of the game. The Indian hitters appeared perfect in the middle of the batting order, which the skipper claimed was a result of the heavy roller that was deployed during the innings break.

The veteran all-rounder believed that Zimbabwe could challenge the visitors after they scored 152 runs in the first innings because to the wicket’s moist condition. But given the manner Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal batted, he thought that even 180 runs would not be sufficient. The 38-year-old said that the hosts were under pressure since the hitters struggled in the final overs. He intends to win the fifth and final Twenty20 International on July 14 in order to round off the series on a positive note.

We believed that 160 was par, but I believe the wicket was a little wet. However, their batting style meant that even 180 would not have sufficed. With every game, we continue to develop and learn. 8–10 extra runs, in my opinion, in the final 5 overs. We had to control ourselves early in the innings because there was some kick and bounce, Raza stated during the post-game ceremony. “They were able to play on the rise after the huge roller during the innings break worked its magic and created a gorgeous surface. We play tomorrow, and even if we lose 3-2, we won’t have to lower our heads.”

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Jaiswal and Gill had an incredible night for India. India chased the score in 15.2 overs as the southpaw hammered an unbeaten 93 off just 53 deliveries and Gill struck an unbeaten 58 off 39.