Zimbabwe Skipper Raza Reflects on Team’s Performance After Series Loss to India

Following Zimbabwe’s series loss to India, Captain Sikandar Raza discussed his availability for long-format cricket, team performance issues, and personal fitness. India secured the series 4-1 with key performances from Mukesh Kumar and Sanju Samson in the final T20I.

Following Zimbabwe’s series loss to India after a decisive defeat in the fifth and final T20I, team captain Sikandar Raza opened up about his availability for the longer format, fitness issues, and shortcomings in his team’s performance. A remarkable four-wicket spell by Mukesh Kumar and a half-century by Sanju Samson helped India defeat Zimbabwe by 42 runs in Harare on Sunday, clinching the series.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Raza acknowledged the team’s batting woes saying, 'Batting-wise, we are still below par, but we are starting to rectify the problems at the top. You are going to have bad games here and there. The grey area for me will remain our attitude in the field. We are still making a lot of mistakes, which is controllable. We will keep working hard and hopefully keep getting better.' Raza praised Blessing Muzarbani for his six wickets in the series and highlighted the importance of having Richard Ngarva fit, albeit for just three games due to injury.

Regarding his workload and potential to play Test cricket, Raza stated, 'My workload needs to be managed. I have not played any four-day cricket in the last two years since my surgeries. My shoulder is not 100 percent; I do not want to be a guy who just gets a jersey. I need to go back, respect domestic cricket, and test my own fitness. I am still available for Test cricket but at this point of time, I am not because I haven't played much four-day cricket.' Raza is set to leave for Manchester soon to participate in The Hundred.

India secured the series 4-1. In the deciding match, Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field. Despite having India at 40/3, a steady 65-run partnership between Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, and a strong finish from Shivam Dube helped India set a target of 167/6. Blessing Muzarbani was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler with figures of 2/19.

During the chase, Zimbabwe got off to a decent start, with contributions from Dion Myers, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Faraz Akram, but it was Shivam Dube’s game-changing spell and Mukesh Kumar’s 4/22 that sealed Zimbabwe’s fate. They were bowled out for 125, losing by 42 runs. Shivam Dube was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance, while Washington Sundar, with eight wickets in the series, was awarded 'Player of the Series.'