India take four-nil series lead

Cricket365
August 7, 2013

India took a four-nil series lead against Zimbabwe on Thursday, winning the match at the Queen's Sports Club by nine wickets and with nearly 20 overs to spare, thanks to half tons by Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma.

India needed a meagre 145 to win in Bulawayo, and Amit Mishra and company reduced the hosts to 144 all out in under 43 overs. Raina (65no) and Rohit (64no) then put on 122 for the second wicket to secure an easy win.

The visitors won the toss and shoe to field first, looking to make their chase of a fourth win in four games as easy as possible. They didn't disappoint, and destroyed the hosts with early and late wicket flurries.

Zimbabwe found themselves five down for just 47 runs, as the top order failed miserably again. Vusi Sibanda was the only batsman to go past 10, and he only made 24 before falling to Ravindra Jadeja.

Then came an 80-run stand between Malcolm Waller and Elton Chigumbura, with the former making 35 off 77 ball before being dismissed by Mohit Sharma. This left Chigumbura to carry on alone.

Wicket then tumbled again, from 127 for six to 144 all out. Mishra was the main wicket-taker, removing three tail-enders as Chigumbura watched and patiently made what would eventually be a half century in vain.

India's only loss was that of opener Cheteshwar Pujara, who was bowled by Tendai Chatara for 13 in the 10th over. India had started really slowly, reaching 26 in 11 overs, before the final pairing kicked on.

They made their runs at 5.71 to the over, with Raina hitting six fours, and Rohit five. He also hit one six, as they took few risks on their way to a series whitewash.

The final match is on Saturday, at the same venue.