Harare: An all-round effort helped India inflict an eight-wicket defeat on Zimbabwe in the second One-Day International (ODI) to seal the three-match cricket series 2-0 here on Monday.
Chasing a modest 127, India’s young openers Lokesh Rahul (33) and Karun Nair (39) put on a 58-run stand before Nair and Ambati Rayudu (41 not out) forged another 67-run second-wicket partnership to take India within sniffing distance. Manish Pandey (4) finished off the proceedings with a boundary to covers, India pocketing the win with 139 balls to spare.
For the hosts, none of the bowlers could trouble the Indian batsmen as all-rounders Chamu Chibhabha and Sikandar Raza managed to take one wicket apiece.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal scalped three wickets as India produced another professional bowling effort to dismiss a fragile Zimbabwe batting line-up for 126. Zimbabwe lost their last seven wickets for 20 runs to be bundled out in 34.3 overs. Indian pacers Barinder Sran (2/17) and Dhawal Kulkarni (2/31) performed their duties early on before leggie Chahal (3/25) joined the party in his second ODI.
It was another chilly morning at the Harare Sports Club and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, winning the toss for the second time in succession, expectedly put the opposition in.
Sran and Kulkarni got the ball to swing from the word go. Zimbabwe chose to open with Hamilton Masakadaza (9) and Chamu Chibhabha (21) this time but the move did not work as lack of application from the top-order left them struggling at 39/3 in 10 overs.
The experienced Vusi Sibanda gave the innings some momentum with a fighting 53 off 69 balls, but his fall led to a batting collapse.
He shared a handy 67-run stand with Sikandar Raza (16 off 41) to take his side past the 100-run mark.
Chahal triggered off the collapse by removing Raza and Elton Chigumbura (0) to be on a hat-trick. Thirteen balls later, the spinner sent back Sibanda to have Zimbabwe in further trouble at 107 for six.
Sibanda was the lone warhorse for Zimbabwe as he completed his 21st ODI half century. His knock comprised six fours and a six.
It was a fresh pitch used for this game but stroke-making remained difficult.
More than the conditions, the Zimbabwe batsmen had themselves to blame as they did not learn from the mistakes made in the opening game.
Number eleven Sean Williams did not come out to bat owing to a sudden finger injury.
The teams will now lock horns in the inconsequential third ODI on Wednesday.
