After India’s T20 World Cup win, a second-string team led by Shubman Gill faced Zimbabwe. Youngsters like Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag couldn’t prevent a 13-run defeat in the first T20I. Chasing 116, India were all out for 102, with Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza taking three wickets each. Clive Madande’s 29* helped Zimbabwe reach 115/9, while Ravi Bishnoi took four wickets for India. Fans reacted strongly, missing veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gill praised the bowlers but lamented the fielding and batting performance.
Indian fans expressed disappointment, especially due to the T20I retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. One fan tweeted about the importance of the retired stars, while another sarcastically commented on the lack of interest in the series without Rohit and Kohli. Another fan appreciated Kohli’s crucial role in winning the T20 World Cup final and contrasted it with India’s performance in this match.
Bade aye IPL ke stars. They won't understand the importance of Rohit Kohli in ICT
— Tejas (@Imtejeshwar) July 6, 2024
Nobody had interest in watching bilateral match against Zimbabwe without Rohit-Kohli.
So they decided to lose first match and make this series interesting and get the attention 😉
— Akash (@Infysoccer) July 6, 2024
King 👑 Kohli scored a match winning 76 runs in an ICC final and won the trophy for India from 34/3.
Today is a proper example of what would have happened to India that day if Kohli did not anchor the innings. Forever grateful @imVkohli 🙏❤️.. Rohit Kohli never replaced 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1c5CTTwaBi— Endlit (@indianculers) July 6, 2024
Zimbabwe defended the lowest ever total against India in T20i history. 🤯
– Some commendable performance by Zimbabwe. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vNrzTG2luq
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 6, 2024
Gill praised his bowlers but criticized the team’s fielding and overall performance, mentioning they looked rusty. He admitted that they spoke about taking time with their batting but failed to execute it. He expressed disappointment with his dismissal and the team’s collapse.