The inexperienced Zimbabwe were of no match against the firepower of second-string Indian side in the first ODI at Harare on Thursday with the visitors recording a massive 10-wicket victory with 115 balls to spare in a low-scoring contest, which was the first of three-match affair between the two teams.
The Indian team openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill hit unbeaten half-centuries to put on a study 192-run unbeaten stand for the opening wicket to thwart any trouble that the Zimbabwe bowlers might have thrown their way, to power their side to their 13th consecutive victory in the format against the African nation.
The victory was also set up by returning fast bowler Deepak Chahar who took a splendid 3-wicket haul to help India bowled Zimbabwe out for just 189 in 40.3 overs.
In their reply, the visitors were bolstered by 81 not out from their vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan and 82 not out from their young and talented opening batsman Shubman Gill. While Shikhar Dhawan cracked nine boundaries in his innings, the young Shubman Gill was tad more aggressive, clobbering 10 fours and a six during his stay at the crease.
Zimbabwe used as many as 8 different bowling options in order to break the sturdy partnership between Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan with the pair resuming their form after dominating the West Indies bowlers in the Caribbean on the recent tour.
The tone, however, was set by Deepak Chahar early on in the game in the favour of the Indian team when he took three wickets at the start of the contest. The opening batsman Innocent Kala could make only 4 for before he was caught behind by wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson, whereas Tadiwanashe Marumani had a similar fate, having faced 22 balls for his 8 runs in which he hit one boundary.
Wessly Madhevere was trapped leg-before by the right-arm India and Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Deepak Chahar, who showed tremendous control with the new white ball in his comeback match after a very long break due to injury.
Zimbabwe captain Regis Chakabva tried to put up a strong fight with a 51-ball 35 studded with four boundaries while there were other significant contributors in Bradley Evans — 33 not out — and Richard Ngarava , who scored 34 not out.
Brad Evans scored 33 not out from 29 balls with the help of three boundaries and a six whereas Richard Ngarava made 34 from 42 balls with as many boundaries and sixes.
For India, their tall fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was once again among wickets returning with 8-0-50-3 whereas all-rounder Akshar Patel was also impressive with the ball, returning with a superb spell of 7.3-2-24-3. Mohammed Siraj took a solitary wicket in his 8 overs whereas Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was wicketless in his full quota of 10 overs.
The two teams will lock horns once again on Saturday at the same venue for the second ODI whereas the third and final match of the series as well as tour will be played on Monday, August 22.
