Twitter Reactions: Chigumbura’s fiery fifty takes Zimbabwe to 170

Indian skipper MS Dhoni won yet another toss on the tour of Zimbabwe and elected to bowl first. They made a lot of changes in the squad and as many as five players were handed over their caps-Mandeep Singh, KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishi Dhawan and Jaydev Unadkat made their debut in this game.

The visitors started with Jaydev Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan which was not Dhoni’s usual tactic with Jasprit Bumrah in the lineup as well. Both the opening bowlers couldn’t find success and like it has happened so often in the recent past Bumrah came in to bowl the 5th over and got immediate success with the wicket of Chamu Chibhabha. Richmond Mutumbami the wicketkeeper batsman was hit by a short ball from Unadkat and had to walk off.

Hamilton Masakadza scored an entertaining 25, Sikandar Raza’s 20 and Malcolm Waller’s 30 gave them solidity in the middle overs which pushed the score beyond 100. But it was Elton Chigumbura’s 26-ball 54 that was studded with 7 sixes and a four with a strike rate of 207.69 that pushed Zimbabwe to 170 in their 20 overs. Chigumbura was especially sever against the debutants Dhawan and Unadkat and both the bowlers conceded 42 and 43 runs in their quota of 4 overs respectively. The two Indian bowlers with most expectations on them Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal got a wicket each and went for 24 and 32 runs.

Like it had happened in the ODI series many expected the Zimbabwean batsmen to flatter once the top order departed but Chigumbura’s knock and the 170 runs total on the board should give them a lot of confidence going into the second inning.

Catch the match live – Zimbabwe v India 1st T20I – Live social feeds

Here is how Twitter reacted right through the Zimbabwe batting inning:

Zimbabwe fans wish someone had told their players it was a T20i during their ODI series.#ZIMvIND

— Beedu (@vividBharati) June 18, 2016

So Zimbabwe score more in the T20 batting first than they did in any of the ODIs #ZIMvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 18, 2016

1 4 6 2 wd wd 6 0 – 21 runs from the 19th over bowled by Unadkat. Chigumbura and Zimbabwe are finishing strongly #ZIMvIND

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 18, 2016

What's a blazing knock by a Zimbabwean batsman called: cameo#ZIMvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 18, 2016

Elton Chigumbura hit 7 sixes today to equal the record of a batsman hitting most sixes in a Twenty20 International against India.#ZIMvIND

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) June 18, 2016

Dhoni picked Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan just to make sure he gets to bat in this game. #ZimvInd

— cricBC (@cricBC) June 18, 2016

One Test wonder.
One T20I wonder? #Unadkat #ZIMvIND

— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) June 18, 2016

For the first time in their tour, India actually face the pressure of a target. Can't afford any slip-ups in their batting. #ZIMvIND

— Amit Banerjee (@akb287) June 18, 2016

ZIM 170/6 (20 ov), Summary: Chigumbura 54, M Waller 30, Bumrah 2/24, Axar 1/18. Zimbabwe post a challenging total. #ZIMvInd #Cricket

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz_scores) June 18, 2016

@ChigumburaElton 54*(26) took Zim from 111/5 to 170/6.

At one stage Chigumbura was 24(17)

From next 9 He scored 30 runs#IND need 171

— Santosh kumar yadav (@sky0771994gmail) June 18, 2016

One of the best innings from a @ZimCricketv batsman in recent times, clean hitting #eltonchigumbura take a bow #INDvsZIM

— Ravi Mathur (@ravimathur15) June 18, 2016

Seekuge Prasanna in Dublin and Elton Chigumbura in Harare are on a demolition mission! #Cricket #rainingsixes #ZIMvIND #IREvSL

— سیّد محمّد فراز (@ibneHasan4) June 18, 2016

So this is the highest score of the series by @ZimCricketv. Better than ODI. @ChigumburaElton late blitz helped. #ZIMvIND @StarSportsIndia

— Abhiraam kare (@Abhiraam_K8) June 18, 2016

India batting finally going to be tested with this total. @ChigumburaElton brought the bowling to its knees. Great knock. #ZIMvIND

— Agent IDK (@homebakedgoods) June 18, 2016

Goodness, they have sent in Carlos Brathwaite disguised as Elton Chigumbura. #ZIMvIND

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) June 18, 2016

From two golden ducks to fighting fifty.

The name is Elton Chigumbura. #ZIMvIND

— Sai Kishore (@DivingSlip) June 18, 2016

This is the first time since their inaugural T20I, India have two debutants sharing the new ball – Jaidev Unadkat & Rishi Dhawan.#ZIMvIND

— Mayur bayas?⚽️ (@cricrazymyu) June 18, 2016

For the first time in their tour, India actually face the pressure of a target. Can't afford any slip-ups in their batting. #ZIMvIND

— Amit Banerjee (@akb287) June 18, 2016

Zimbabwe totals

1st ODI 168
2nd ODI 126
3rd ODI 123

1st T20I 170/6#ZIMvIND

— Sallu (@Salil5555) June 18, 2016

Fastest 50s for ZIM in T20Is:

20 M Waller v BAN, 2015
21 S Williams v Afg, 2015/ E Chigumbura v UAE, 2014
25 E CHIGUMBURA today*#ZIMvIND

— electic_ckt (@Electric_CkT) June 18, 2016