India inched closer to a series-clinching win after a disciplined show by the bowlers saw them bowl out Zimbabwe for a paltry 183 in the third One-day International, here today.
Amit Mishra was the most impressive of the lot, returning figures of four for 47, while Sean Williams top-scored for Zimababwe with 45 off 53 balls.
Leading 2-0 in the five-match series, skipper Virat Kohli’s decision to bowl on winning the toss was vindicated as his pacers struck twice in the first two overs at the Harare Sports Club.
While R Vinay Kumar accounted for Vusi Sibanda even before the hosts could open their account, Mohammed Shami sent back the other-wise reliable Sikander Raza when he had the opener caught behind by Dinesh Karthik.
Hamilton Masakadza (38) and skipper Brendan Taylor (23) added 65 runs for the third wicket to stabilise the innings before Jaydev Unadkat struck with the scoreboard reading 67 for three in the 16th over.
The Zimbabwean captain, who stood his ground after Shami leapt to his left from mid-off to pull off a catch, walked back after the third umpire upheld the on-field umpires’ decision. Taylor hit three fours during his 44-ball knock.
Taylor’s dismissal was the beginning of slide as Zimbabwe lost three more wickets quickly, with leg-spinner Mishra taking two of them off successive balls.
Coming in to bowl his first over of the match, Mishra tasted success immediately as Masakadza, trying to cut a short of length delivery, edged it to the keeper as the hosts lost their top four batsmen within the first 20 overs. The batsman struck five fours off 53 balls.
Malcolm Waller was out next ball as Mishra had the batsman trapped in front for a golden duck with a googly, leaving the Zimbabweans reeling at 80 for five in the 20th over.
Ravindra Jadeja made it 89 for six as the slow left-arm spinner hit Elton Chigumbura on the pads with one that might have missed the leg stump because of the angle.
Brief Scores:
Zimbabwe: 183 allout in 46 overs (Sean Williams 45, Hamilton Masakadza 38; Amit Mishra 4/47).
Teams:
India: Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, R Vinay Kumar.
Zimbabwe: Brendon Taylor (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Brian Vitori, Prosper Utseya, Michael Chinouya, Tendai Chatara.