By: Tarish Bhatt
Taking nothing away from the Indian bowlers, it was more a spineless batting performance from Zimbabwe in the 2nd ODI that put the visitors within touching distance of a series win today.
Zimbabwe batting line-up collapsed like a pack of cards from 106 for 3 to 126 all out at the bowling-friendly conditions of the Harare Sports Club, despite Vusi Sibanda’s brilliant fifty.
When Sibanda and Sikandar Raza were batting, it looked like they have weathered India’s new-ball wreckage, but just when things seamed to be easing up, Yuzvendra Chahal weaved the magic of his leg-spin.
Chahal broke a 67 runs stand between Sibanda and Raza by dismissing the latter, and then got the wicket of dangerous Elton Chigumbura on the very next ball. In his next over, he dismissed Sibanda, as Zimbabwe’s lower-order crumbled like a cookie.
Apart from Sibanda, Raza and Chamu Chibhabha, others failed to show any sort of resistance, and the hosts were eventually bundled in just 34.3 overs. Sean Williams couldn’t bat because of a broken finger.
Earlier, Indian captain MS Dhoni asked Zimbabwe to bat first, gaining early advantage. His new-ball bowlers repaid the faith by getting early wickets much like the last match at the same venue.
Barinder Sran struck twice with the new-ball, while Dhawal Kulkarni took a couple later in the innings. Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah finished with a wicket apiece.
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