India pounded Zimbabwe by 9 wickets in the 4th ODI of five-match One-Day International (ODI) series at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
India now leads the series by 4-0.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Mohit Sharma made their ODI debuts with this match. But it was Mohit Sharma who impressed with his superb bowling and was also awarded Man of the Match. He took 2 wickets giving away just 26 runs in his quota of 10 overs with three maidens.
India won the toss and choose to bowl first.
Zimbabwe batsmen failed to put up a good show as only four could reach double-figures mark. Mohit picked up first wicket of the match of the opener Sikandar Raza (7).
Opener Vusi Sibanda (24) and Hamilton Masakadza (10) tried to strike a partnership but fell soon to the Indian attack. With the wickets of skipper Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, both of whom did not get off the mark, Zimbabwe was reeling at 47/5 in the 16th over.
However, all-rounder Elton Chigumbura (50 not out) and Malcolm Waller (35) put together a crucial 80-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take the home team past the 100-run mark.
But once Waller edged a Mohit Sharma delivery, the Zimbabwean innings crumbled as Amit Mishra ran through the lower order, picking up three wickets.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets while Mohammed Shami and Jaydev Unadkat took one wicket each.
Zimbabwe was all out for 144 in 42.4 overs the lowest total of the tournament so far.
In reply, opener Cheteshwar Pujara who replaced Shikhar Dhawan failed to capitalize the chance. Cheteshwar had made his ODI debut three years after making his first appearance for India in Tests.
He was bowled by medium pacer Tendai Chatara for 13.
After this Rohit Sharma (64 not out) and Suresh Raina (66 not out), promoted up the order, became the architects of the victory, scoring unbeaten half-centuries to take India home without any trouble.
India reached the target in 30.5 overs with nine wickets to spare.
The final match between India and Zimbabwe will be played on Saturday.
Scoreboard of the 4th ODI of India vs Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe
Elton Chigumbura not out 50
Malcolm Waller c Karthik b Mohit Sharma 35
Vusi Sibanda b Jadeja 24
Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 4) 8
Total (All out in 42.4 overs) 144
Bowling
Mohit Sharma 10-3-26-2
Ravindra Jadeja 9-1-28-2
Amit Mishra 8.4-0-25-3
India
Rohit Sharma not out 64
Suresh Raina not out 66
Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3
Total (One wicket in 30.5 overs) 145
Bowling
Tendai Chatara 5-1-31-1
(with inputs from IANS)
|
|
Comments:
