Mishra’s 6 wickets help Men in Blue beat Zimbabwe in last ODI; best result in away series
India on Saturday created history by recording their first-ever five-match ODI series whitewash on foreign soil as they thrashed Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fifth and final cricket one-dayer, riding on leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s career-best six wicket haul.
Mishra’s fine effort of 6 for 48 saw India bowl out Zimbabwe for a paltry 163 in 39.5 overs after opting to bowl and the visitors then chased down the small target comfortably with 16 overs to spare at Queens Sports Club here.
The leg-spinner also equalled the world record for most wickets in a bilateral ODI series. He took his series tally to 18, equalling the record held by compatriot Javagal Srinath. India have recorded three 5-0 series wins at home in the past five years — whitewashing England twice and New Zealand once. But, this was their maiden whitewash win in a five-match series away from home.
Ajinkya Rahane, who was playing in his first match of the series, top-scored with a 66-ball 50, his third ODI fifty in his 17th match, with the help of four boundaries and a six. He shared a crucial 71-run partnership for the third wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (not out 48 from 77 balls) to lay the foundation for the win.
Jadeja ended the contest in style by hitting a six as India reached 167 for three in 34 overs. The victory target was too small for the rampaging Indians, who have recorded convincing wins over the home side in all the five matches.
The young Indian side under Virat Kohli, who had come here without a few top players, maintained their domination over the home side and ended the series in emphatic style. This series victory also rectified their disappointing performance in this country in 2010 when they lost all their two matches in a tri-series.
Captain Virat Kohli, one of the Indian centurions in the series, dropped himself down and sent Rahane at number three as the target was small. His team-mates ensured that there was no need for their captain to come out and bat. India’s run chase though did not begin well with opener Cheteshwar Pujara dismissed in the fourth ball for a duck.
Playing in his second ODI of his career, Pujara was cleanbowled by Kyle Jarvis with a good length delivery just outside off which cut back to sneak through the gap between bat and pad before hitting the top of middle stump.
Dhawan’s departure saw the Indians slowing down a bit and they had the luxury to do so. Jarvis and Elton Chigumbura bowled an accurate line and length to deny Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja room to play shots.
Rahane, who survived being run out in the seventh over after a mix up with Dhawan, was out in the 28th over, bowled by a turning ball off part-timer Malcolm Waller. But by that time India were well on course for victory.
Jadeja lied low for some time before a flurry of boundaries, including a six and a four off Sean Williams in the 29th over, besides the six which ended the contest.
Brief Score
Zimbabwe: 163 in 39.5 overs (Sean Williams 52; Mishra 6/48) lost to India: 167/3 in 34 overs (Rahane 50, Jadeja 48 no; Kyle Jarvis 2/18) by 7 wickets.