India were stunned by Zimbabwe in the first T20I after the World Cup victory

India, fresh from their T20 World Cup victory, suffered a surprising 13-run loss to Zimbabwe in the first T20I. Chasing 116, India collapsed to 102 all out, their lowest T20I total in eight years, sparking social media reactions.

Ironically, the T20 world champions of India got defeated by Zimbabwe in the first T20I series match by 13 runs in a five-match series. It was T20I match played on Saturday, the 6th of July, 2024 at Harare Sports Club where the young Indian team was bowled out to its lowest score in T20I cricket for the past eight years.

In the first match of new team after the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados on June 29, India’s new team that has Gill as their captain also lost while chasing a small target of 116. That led to outbursts on social media after the visitors were bundled out for 102 in the second innings.

There were few Zimbabwe bowlers who showed promise and performed well out of them Tendai Chatara and Captain Sikandar Raza shared three wickets each. The rest of the bowlers, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Luke Jongwe, and Brian Bennett, bagged one wicket each for their side.

Earlier, Zimbabwe had managed to make 115 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their twenty overs; Bennett, 22, Myers, 23, Madande, 29, and Madhevere, 21. Of all bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi of India was the most successful scalping four wickets while Washington Sundar took two wickets.

In response, only Shubman Gill made 31 while Washington Sundar made 27 indicating the susceptibility of the Indian batting line up once again.

This defeat sparked memes and comments on social platforms with many fans stunned with the performances of young talents from India. Some users pointed towards the senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as if the two will find it funny that the youngsters are miserable.

It proves to be a wake up call for the Indian team and also an understanding of the challenges that are faced for a team to carry on with a high level of dominant performance immediately after a success in a tournament. It also shows the potential that exists in the associate nations like Zimbabwe which will be capable of springing a upset against even the world champions.

The series moves on with the second T20I match planned for the Sunday, July 7 at the same venue. India will be eager to come back to the ground and equalize the series while Zimbabwe would want to carry on with the positive start they have made.

Also Read: India Celebrates Its T20 World Cup Victory By Having A Victory Parade

Cricket lovers are yet to chew this bitter swallow and fans all over the world will be waiting to see how this youthful Indian team manages itself after being bowled out for such a tiny total in their first series as world champions.