Zimbabwe skipper Raza takes blame after 90-run loss to India in 2nd T20I
Synopsis
Sikandar Raza's candid post-match admission — that he has been 'letting the team down' with the bat — cuts through the usual captain-speak. India's 90-run win in Harare wasn't just a scoreline; it was a skills masterclass that Zimbabwe's captain openly said his side needs to learn from.
Key Takeaways
India beat Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the 2nd T20I at Harare Sports Club on 25 July .
India posted 219/5 ; Zimbabwe were bowled out for 129 , giving India an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Ishan Kishan top-scored with an explosive 81 at number three; Tilak Varma also contributed a half-century.
Captain Sikandar Raza took personal responsibility for his poor batting form across both T20Is.
Raza credited India's batting skill and called the display 'something we can learn from.'
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged India's batting brilliance and took personal responsibility for his own lean run with the bat after his side suffered a 90-run defeat in the 2nd T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, 25 July. The result hands India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India's Dominant Display
Riding on explosive half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, India posted a formidable 219/5 before bundling out Zimbabwe for just 129. The innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, with Kishan's 81 at number three setting the tone for India's commanding total.
What Raza Said After the Match
'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. He added: '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.'
Raza Praises Kishan's Consistency
The Zimbabwe skipper was particularly generous in his assessment of Ishan Kishan, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter has been delivering consistently. 'Certainly, 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,' Raza said.
Captain Takes Personal Responsibility
Raza did not shy away from pointing the finger at himself when analysing Zimbabwe's batting collapse. Despite the home side's openers providing a solid start in the chase of 220, inexperience and poor shot selection undid the middle order. '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 T20 games. But, Inshallah, I'll do my best to turn it around because the team could really do with my runs,' he said.
What's Next
With the series already sealed, the third and final T20I offers Zimbabwe a consolation opportunity and Raza a personal chance at redemption with the bat. For India, the focus will shift to maintaining momentum ahead of broader bilateral commitments.
Point of View
A ground that often assists bowlers, underlines how the gap between the two sides in batting depth has widened. For Zimbabwe, the third T20I is less about consolation and more about whether Raza can rediscover form before bigger bilateral tests ahead.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 2nd T20I between India and Zimbabwe?
India defeated Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the 2nd T20I at Harare Sports Club on 25 July. India scored 219/5 and bowled Zimbabwe out for 129, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
How did Ishan Kishan perform in the 2nd T20I?
Ishan Kishan scored an explosive 81 batting at number three, forming a key partnership with Tilak Varma. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza specifically praised Kishan's consistency and noted he is 'going through a really good patch.'
What did Sikandar Raza say about his own batting?
Raza admitted he has been 'letting the team down as captain' with his batting in the two T20Is. He said the onus is on him to turn his form around as the team needs his runs.
What did Zimbabwe's captain say about India's batting display?
Raza called India's batting 'certainly admirable,' saying the skill and shot selection on show is 'something we can learn from.' He was careful not to use Zimbabwe's fielding lapses as an excuse, giving India full credit.
What is at stake in the 3rd T20I in Harare?
With India already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, the third T20I is a dead rubber for the series result. However, it gives Zimbabwe a chance at a consolation win and Raza a personal opportunity to rediscover batting form.
