HARARE: Deepak Chahar's opening burst of 3-27, followed by three-wicket hauls from Axar Patel and Prasidh Krishna, as well as unbeaten fifties by vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill helped India to a resounding ten-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in their ODI series opener at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
After Chahar, Patel and Krishna's efforts led to Zimbabwe being bowled out for 189 all out in 40.3 overs, Gill (82 not out, 4x10, 6x1) and Dhawan (81 not out, 4x9) were unbroken in their opening partnership to chase down the total and help India take 1-0 lead in three-match series.
The win is also India's third 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in ODIs and also their 13th consecutive triumph over the hosts' in 50-over cricket. A major part of the Dhawan-Gill stand was how Dhawan, the early aggressor, took a backseat for some time when Gill found his groove after a watchful beginning in the innings.
The visitors had elected to bowl first and were quickly into the wickets as they reduced the home side to 66 for five.
Seamer Deepak Chahar removed both openers and finished with figures of 3-27, well supported by the more expensive Prasidh Krishna, who took 3-50 in eight overs.
The guile of left-arm spinner Axar Patel (3-24) was also impressive as he removed innings top-scorer Regis Chakabva (35).
A 70-run ninth-wicket stand between Brad Evans (33 not out) and Richard Ngarava (34) added some respectability to the home score, but it never looked like a target to trouble India.
The second ODI will be played on Saturday and the third on Monday, both also in Harare.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 189 all out in 40.3 overs (Regis Chakabva 35, Richard Ngarava 34; Axar Patel 3-24, Deepak Chahar 3-27) lost to India (Shubman Gill 82 not out, Shikhar Dhawan 81 not out) by 10 wickets. Agencies
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