India defeat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in first ODI

After Indian bowlers dominated the show in the morning by bowling out the African side for 168 runs, it was Rahul and Rayudu’s turn to display their class as they reached 173 runs by losing a wicket with 45 balls to spare.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in Zimbabwe to captain the team, but the likes of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin and others have been given some time off following the Indian Premier League and a busy upcoming schedule that includes a tour of the West Indies next month. Rahul made the most of his opportunity to play in coloured kits by becoming the first Indian to score a century on ODI debut.

Ntini hit out at other Full Members for their reluctance to send full-strength squads to play Zimbabwe, who are ranked below Afghanistan in ODIs and were the only Full Member team not to qualify for the Super 10s stage of the recently concluded World T20. He has also become only the 11 debutant to do so in 40-year-old history of ODI cricket. “It is good to go back there and share those memories, score some runs for India and do my duty”, he told “bcci.tv”.

Pandey, Ambapati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C & wk), Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran.

Rahul has been playing a role of a backup batsman in Tests. At the end of 10 overs, Zimbabwe were positioned at 30 for two.

Rahul’s 115-ball knock comprised of seven fours and a six while Rayudu took 120 balls with five hits to the fence.

Bumrah, who removed Chibhabha in the 14th over with a peach of a delivery, added another to his kitty in the 20th over by ending Vusi Sibanda’s stay at the crease. The former Zimbabwe captain joined hands with Sikandar Raza and formed a 38-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take the hosts forward. The Zimbabwe looked more comfortable against the spin but the Indian tweakers too ended up with tidy figures. Zimbabwe Cricket has also entrusted their faith in veteran leg spinner Graeme Cremer who will lead his nation against heavyweights India in the 3 match ODI series beginning today. Though Nair succumbed to the bounce generated by Tendai Chatara and made his way back to the dressing room for 7, Rahul batted with calm and clarity. The innings highest-scorer also had a bit of luck on his side as he was out on a no-ball when Bumrah overstepped the line in 48th over.

Before Rahul’s ton, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket haul that enabled the visitors to keep the Zimbabwe batsmen in a leash.