The Indian cricket team headed into the encounter with heads held high, seeing their recent success against Zimbabwe, but they were given a reality check straight away at the Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe, after winning the toss put India to bat, and came out with all guns blazing to rip through the Indian top-order, dismissing the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay and Manoj Tiwary cheaply.
At one point the Indian cricket team was reduced to a mere 85 for five, but Ambati Rayudu, alongwith Stuart Binny, rescued India with a fighting century, his second in the ODIs.
Rayudu planted a 160-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Binny, and remained unbeaten at the end, as India posted a competitive 255, which at one point looked unlikely.
Earlier, Indian top-order was destroyed, as Robin Uthappa, Kedar Jadhav, Tiwary and Vijay had a comeback to forget.
