Zimbabwe lose first ODI against India despite valiant effort by skipper Elton Chigumbura
The Indians, after being asked to bat first, managed a respectable 255 for the loss of 6 wickets.
Indian bowlers restricted Zimbabwe at 251 for seven.
The Indian top order received a jolt as they failed to get going as apart from skipper Ajinkya Rahane (34), the others did not found favor and were out cheaply.
Ambati Rayadu and Stuart Binny played some exceptional and purposeful cricket to add 160 runs for the 6th wicket partnership.
Rayadu (124) registered his 2nd ODI hundred, while his partner Binny (77) score his maiden ODI fifty.
Chamu Chibhabha by far was the best Zimbabwe bowler. The medium-pacer recorded figures of 10-2-25-2. Donald Tiripano and Brian Vitori picked up 2 and 1 wickets respectively.
Like the Indians, the Zimbabwe batsmen found it tough to get the score board moving. The Indian spinners bowled to their plans and kept things tight for the hosts.
What looked like an easy victory for India was almost overturned by the Zimbabwe captain alone.
Elton Chigumbura (104 not out) not only scored 2nd ODI century of his career, he also carted the Indian bowlers for runs all across the park.
The match proved to be a cliff hanger and was stretched till the last ball where Zimbabwe needed 6 runs but had to remain contented with just a single, giving India the much needed win.
Axar Patel was the pick of the Indian bowlers picking up 2 wickets for 41 runs. Stuart Binny also chipped in with 2 wickets while
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni and Harbhajan Singh picked up a piece each.
Ambati Rayadu was adjudged the Man of the Match for his effort with the willow.
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