The young team India registered a spectacular clean-sweep 3-0 against the minnows Zimbabwe in an almost one-sided manner. The jubilant India beat Zimbabwe by 83 runs at the 3rd one dayer played at Harare to clinch the trophy. Batting first, India set a decent total of 276 and bowled out the hosts at just 193.

Earlier, the host team won the toss but opted to field first. The decision clicked this time as N. Madziva, the Zimbabwean bowling spearhead, dismissed both the Indian openers; Rahane (15) and Vijay (13) at cheap scores, providing the much-needed breakthrough to Zimbabwe at the start of the match. It brought India’s score to 33 for 2 after 7 overs. Though Manoj Tiwary (10) and Robin Uthappa (31) spent some time at the crease, but both failed to prolong their knocks.

Uthappa’s dismissal brought Manish Pandey and Kedhar Jadhav to the field. Both the right handed batsmen played well and added the much needed 144-runs for the fifth wicket. Jadhav was at his best today and displayed some perfect cricketing shots. He remained unbeaten on 105 off 87 balls with 12 boundaries and a six. Debutant Manish Pandey was not too far behind. He also scored a well-crafted 71 (86b, 4s x 4, 6s x 1) under pressure. Pandey’s dismissal brought the team’s total to 226 for 5 at 46.5 overs.

Thanks to Stuart Binny and Kedhar Jadhav for accelerating the pace of India’s innings just when needed. They amassed 50-quick-runs in the remaining 19 deliveries that helped India put a challenging total of 276-runs on board.

The African team had the chance to at least secure a consolation win but they failed this time again. Apart from CJ Chibhabha 82 (109b, 4s x 7), other batsmen couldn’t even spend some time in the crease. As many as five Zimbabwean batsmen got out before reaching double-digit figures. Eventually, the whole team was bowled out at 193/10 after 42.3-overs. Stuart Binny (10-1-55-3) and Harbhajan Singh (10-0-35-2) led the Indian bowling attack and completely demolished the Zimbabwean batting order.

At the end of the day, Rahane’s stature in the Indian cricket team will only rise to a new height after this overseas ODI series victory. The youngster marvellously captained the squad as a unit and didn’t let the absence of seniors felt throughout the 3-match ODI series. Ajinkya Rahane on his part performed wonderfully by ensuring India’s magnificent victory at the maiden ODI series under his captaincy at relatively slow and unfamiliar wickets.

Brief Scorecard

India 276/5 (50-overs): {K.Jadhav 105*, M.Pandey 71; N.Madziva 2/59}

Zimbabwe 193/10 (42.4-overs): {Chibhabha 82, Chakabva 27; S.Binny 3/55}

Man-of-the-match: Kedhar Jadhav for his scintillating knock of 105*

Man of the series: Ambati Rayudu

Tags: Ambati Rayudu, Cricket, India, Kedhar Jadhav, ODI Series, Zimbabwe