Shubman Gill led India to a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their five-match T20I series. The next generation of Indian cricketers showcased their impressive skills, thoroughly outclassing Zimbabwe in the one-sided affair.

Meanwhile, veteran stars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja had announced their retirement from T20Is following their T20 World Cup triumph. This provided a valuable opportunity for India’s young talents to prove themselves on the international stage, and they seized it with great panache.

Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 47-ball century in the second T20I grabbed the spotlight, while Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson also made crucial contributions. Gill scored the most amount of runs (170) in the series. On the bowling front, Washington Sundar claimed eight wickets and was named the Player of the Series.

The team’s collective effort saw Shubman Gill etch his name in the record books. Gill’s impressive performance during the 4-1 series win made him only the second Indian captain, after Virat Kohli, to win four T20Is in an away series. Kohli had previously led India to a 5-0 triumph over New Zealand in 2019-20.

While Kohli captained the team in the first four T20Is, Rohit Sharma took over the leadership role for the final game as Virat was unavailable. Notably, Gill is the first Indian captain to win four T20Is in an away series, excluding Super Overs. The New Zealand vs India T20I series saw two matches end in a tie, but India ultimately emerged victorious in the Super Overs.

Gill’s captaincy record in T20Is for India places him sixth among the most successful, following Rohit Sharma (50 wins), MS Dhoni (42), Virat Kohli (32), Hardik Pandya (10), and Suryakumar Yadav (5). Reflecting on this experience, Gill expressed that he relishes the challenge of leadership, as it brings out the best in him.

“Playing the game is something I thoroughly enjoy, as it brings out the best in me. I thrive on being fully engaged and involved when I’m on the field. It’s an experience that taps into a side of myself that I truly relish,” said Gill after the game.

“There is always a degree of pressure when playing, even as a batter. Falling short of expectations can weigh heavily. Yet I find that pressure to be part of the thrill – as it brings out many emotions. And when I overcome that challenge, the sense of satisfaction is immense,” he added.