It was again India’s middle-order, which rescued them in the final one-dayer against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. The Indian cricket team posted an imposing total of 276 on the board, courtesy Kedar Jadhav century and Manish Pandey, who was making his India debut.
Jadhav played a well-paced innings and upped the ante in the final overs of the Indian innings to complete his maiden century. Pandey, meanwhile, anchored innings with Jadhav and scored a flowing 86-ball 71, which is a second highest total by an Indian debutant in an away ODI.
Earlier, Zimbabwe again won the toss and put India to bat. Their decision proved correct as Donald Tiripano and Neville Madziva rattled Indian top-order by nibbling the ball.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane was the first to depart, followed by Murali Vijay as India were left reeling at 33/2. Monoj Tiwary and Robin Uthappa again failed to convert starts into a big total as Zimbabwe tightened the screws.
Prosper Utseya and Hamilton Mazakadza knotted the Indian batsmen, as the visitors could only manage 138 in 35 overs. But, after that Jadhav and Pandey unleashed themselves, as India scored doubled the runs in next 15 overs.
The Indian cricket team has already sealed the ODI series with two successive wins over the hosts, and aiming for a whitewash in the three-match series.
