India, defending 271/8, made life difficult for Zimbabwe as pace attack led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar continued to make occasional raids. Bhuvi registered figures 4/33 while Harbhajan Singh and Dhawal Kulkarni each provided with gate
Murli Vijay gets the man of the Match award. He says it was a great opportunity to prove himself and that was a good match. He added he was waiting for a hundred, but it came at a bad shot. He says he does not mind bowling whenever the computer requires it. He concludes that the wicket was much better and was on the slower side.
Rahane and Vijay were brilliant with the bat, comes with a 112-run opening partnership established by India well. Zimbabwe will be disappointed with his display of batting as their batsmen could not move except Chibhabha who got 72. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took four wickets and troubled the batsmen from Zimbabwe. A performance of the entire Indian to clinch the series. Ajinkya Rahane was good with the bat and was a high-voltage cable in the field. This action should help solidify his place in the regular Indian side.
India have secured the match and took a 2-0 lead in the series unbeatable. Rahane will be delighted with the commitment of his team
India is currently the second to world champions Australia in the ICC ODI rankings, while Zimbabwe are in the bottom two of the classification of 12 teams to Afghanistan just below them, but Rahane is taking nothing for granted .
The 27-year-old batsman, who will lead the Indian side under missing resistance the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina in Zimbabwe, told The Times of India: “We all know that Zimbabwe It is a good team. They have been playing very well lately and we are expecting a good number here.
“The guys are waiting for the series and Zimbabwe are not taking lightly. We respect them, and respecting their cricket. We have to play good cricket.
“They have a very balanced team. They played very well in Pakistan, and have good experienced hitters, good road and bowlers. And they are improving day by day. So we respect them, but at the same time we will play our own cricket, “said Rahane, who will make his debut as captain of India on Friday.
Zimbabwe lost their three-match ODI series against Pakistan 2-0 in May, but were far from being overcome – no doubt with the bat – as they did 334 for five to 268 for seven in the first two games, before reaching 69 without loss in the final game when rain forced a wash.
India, meanwhile, is coming off a disappointing tour to Bangladesh which saw them held to a draw in the test only once before losing the ODI series 2-1, so Zimbabwe will be hoping their chances of giving surprise.
The hosts have brought four new faces in the squad of 16 men who toured Pakistan with Malcolm Waller, Donald Tiripano, Neville Madziva and Regis Chakabva being drafted.
Charles Coventry, Roy Kaia, Tawanda Mupariwa, Christopher Mpofu and the injured Craig Ervine have been left out of the group of 15 guests for Friday’s game men, but some of them still could be involved in the series, including two international Twenty20 to follow the one-dayers.
