India hammered Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second T20I to seal the series.
Invited to bat first, India racked up a mammoth 219/5 on the board. Ishan Kishan stole the slow with a blistering 81 off 44 balls while vice-captain Tilak Varma returned with 60* off 29 balls.
Chasing 220, Zimbabwe got off to a strong start courtesy of Brian Bennett, who slammed 32 off 19 balls with three sixes and as many fours. But the hosts lost wickets in clusters and were eventually bundled out for 129 in 17.5 overs.
Speaking after the game, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza admitted that his team’s fielding and shot selection let them down.
Raza also credited the Indian batters for the quality of shots and skills they displayed during their innings.
"I thought the boys bowled well in patches, but credit to India as well. Some of the shots they played and the skill they showed today were certainly admirable," Raza said at the post-match presentation.
"We've been saying for some time now that we can be better in the field, and if the fielding department can support the bowlers a bit more, it'll add extra pressure on the opposition. But I don't want to take anything away from the Indian batters. The display they put on today is certainly something we can learn from," he added.
Raza was effusive in praise of Kishan, saying the southpaw is enjoying a strong run of form at number three.
"Ishan has done that quite regularly and consistently. I think he's going through a really good patch and batting very well, especially at number three, which can be a very tricky role. He and Tilak batted really well, and like I said, the skill they have and what they showed us today is something we can learn from. Hopefully, it'll help us improve as well," he stated.
While Zimbabwe had intended to chase the target aggressively, Raza acknowledged that inexperience and poor shot selection hurt their chances.
"We were always going to go for it. If you look at our openers, they gave us exactly the sort of start we needed. Unfortunately, it comes down to inexperience at times and sometimes shot selection, which is where we're letting ourselves down," he remarked.
Raza conceded that he has been letting the team down with his bat as a leader and needs to step up his run production.
"But most importantly, I think I've been letting the team down as captain with my batting. The onus is on me to get it right because the team needs my runs, and unfortunately that hasn't been the case over the last two T20I games. But, Inshallah, I'll do my best to turn it around because the team could really do with my runs," the Zimbabwe captain concluded.
The third and final T20I will also take place in Harare on Sunday (July 26).