Gill century sweeps India ODI series in Zimbabwe

Shubman Gill scored his first ODI century and took a game-clinching catch in the second last over as India stalled. Zimbabwe won the last ODI 13 runs on Monday to sweep the series 3-0.

India posted a total of 289-8 at the Harare Sports Club with Gill’s 130 off 97 balls after the visitors opted to bat first. He hit 15 fours and a six and put on a 140-run third-wicket partnership with Ishan Khan, who made 50.

Zimbabwe’s chase ended at 169-7 and the hosts suffered yet another heavy defeat.

But Sikandar Raza was at the heart of Zimbabwe’s late surge with his 95-ball 115. Zimbabwe needed 17 runs in the last two overs of his innings.

Raza had already hit three sixes and he attempted a fourth over long-on midway in the last over.

Gill rushes in from the boundary and dives at full length to take the catch down the ground to end Raza’s fightback.

Avesh Khan ended the next over by ducking the bowling of Victor Nyuchi as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 276 in 49.3 overs. Khan finished with 3-66 as India took the series 3-0.

Gill’s first ODI century is on the cards after the 22-year-old right-hander’s 64, 43 and 98 not out in the West Indies last month and 82 not out in the first game of the series.

“Gill has batted brilliantly, he is in very good form,” said India’s Akshar Patel. “He was also the man of the match against West Indies recently. So that’s the biggest takeaway for us from this series.

Zimbabwean seamer Brad Evans, son of former Zimbabwean batsman Craig Evans, took 5-54 in his fifth ODI and scored 28 runs in an eighth-wicket partnership of 104 runs with Raza as his side almost cruised home.