India (Ind) vs Zimbabwe (Zim) 5th ODI: India win by 7 wickets, sweep series 5-0

Amit Mishra was the wrecker in chief as India bowled Zimbabwe out for 163 in 39.5 overs at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo. India reached 164 thanks to Ajinkya Rahane's 50 and Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 48. Catch all the highlights from the India vs Zimbabwe match: (Scorecard | Commentary | Match Report):

 

FACTOID: Virat Kohli at 24 years is the 2nd youngest captain to win an ODI series 5-0 after Prosper Utseya (23 years), Zim v Ken in February 2009.

 

Most ODI wins in a row for India: 9 (2008-2009) 8 (1985) 8 (2003) 8 (2006) 8* (2013) #indvszim

- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 3, 2013

 

 

Amit Mishra in ODIs Before Zim tour: 15 mts, 19 wkts (ave 30.26) Zim tour: 5 mts, 18 wkts (ave 11.61) #indvszim

- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 3, 2013

 

19:00 (IST) Quotes from the Presentation:

 

Virat Kohli: "To be honest, the first two games were pretty well fought by Zimbabwe, but we stepped up our game in the next three. We had to make sure we win the series and then experimenting. Duncan Fletcher told me what to do with batting orders, most of these guys are going to South Africa, and who to give rest was decided by him. It has been beautiful thing to be part of this team and now to lead it. This is an eager bunch of 15 players who have gone out there and performed. As a captain, it is not that difficult to motivate these talented players. My captaincy has gone well so far, but I can only learn from the big man (MS Dhoni) himself, I have learned a few tactics from him and used them on the field. I have not changed my attitude as far as batting goes, tried to take responsibility in the middle order. International cricket teaches you a lot."

Amit Mishra is the Man of the Match: "I had put in a lot of hard work, feels good that it has paid off now. This wicket was a little slow, good for the batsmen, but Zimbabweans did not read my googly. The team management always told me to go for wickets."

 

Brendan Taylor: "We have been outplayed by a very good team, not too many positives for us from the series, we have been well below our best. It is a tough pill to swallow. Upcoming series against Pakistan is going to be tough, we can only play better cricket. Technically don't think a lot of us could have done any better in the nets, mentally is the biggest issue, and stitching partnerships. Batting coach Grant Flower has put in so much work, disappointed with the batters, bowlers have held their head high. We will come out with a good attitude and determination against Pakistan."

18:29 (IST) That's it, India win by 7 wickets in 5th match in Bulawayo and Ravindra Jadeja finishes it in style, with a six off the bowling of Malcolm Waller in the 34th over. India register their first overseas bilateral series cleansweep in ODI history.

18:16 (IST) Ravindra Jadeja dances down the track and drives Sean Williams past mid off for four, he is upping the ante now as India close in on a 5-0 whitewash.

18:05 (IST) Third Wicket - Ajinkya Rahane falls against the run of play, to part-timer Malcolm Waller. Rahane got an inside edge onto that one and he is out bowled. Dinesh Karthik is the new man in. India 126/3 in 27.2 overs.

18:02 (IST) Ajinkya Rahane reaches his third half-century. Well played! He has grabbed this chance with both hands, playing his only game of the series. India 126/2 (27 overs), need 38 more to win.

17:50 (IST) Ravindra Jadeja goes out of his shell and comes down the track and hammers Mushangwe straight over his head for a four. India 111/2 (24 overs), need 53 more from 26 overs.

17:46 (IST) India's 100 is up in the 23rd over. India 107/2 after 23 overs. Rahane nearing a 3rd fifty at 42*.

17:38 (IST) Ajinkya Rahane dealing in boundaries now, after pulling leg-spinner Tinotenda Mutombodzi for six over mid-wicket, he goes over the top against fellow leggie Mushangwe to fetch four towards long off. India 97/2 (21 overs), need 67 more to win from 29 overs.

17:27 (IST) Ravindra Jadeja finally gets off the mark, on the 19th ball he faces. India are 64/2 after 16 overs, need another 100 runs to win.

17:17 (IST) Copybook style Ajinkya Rahane breaks the shackles a little bit, straight drives Elton Chigumbura past mid-on for four. India 61 for 2 after 14 overs.

17:05 (IST) Second Wicket: Kyle Jarvis gets just reward for good bowling, Shikhar Dhawan gets a faint tickle and Brendan Taylor does not disappoint this time. Dhawan out for 41 for 38 balls, 6 fours and six. Ravindra Jadeja gets a promotion in the batting order. India 55/2 (10.3 overs), need 109 more to win.

17:00 (IST) Shikhar Dhawan cuts Elton Chigumbura past backward point for four. India 54 for 1 after 10 overs, need another 110 runs to win from 40 overs.

16:56 (IST) India's 50 up after 9 overs. The fifty of the partnership is also up between Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane.

 

Rahane ran two, Shikhar didn't run even one...Taylor had an easy runout opportunity. Result no run and no runout. Hilarious. Epic.

- Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 3, 2013

 

16:47 (IST) Players return after lunch and Ajinkya Rahane survives a run out chance. A yes and no situation resulted both Rahane and Dhawan nearly at the non-striker's end. By the time the not-so-good throw from the mid off fielder came to the striker's end, Rahane struggled and was way short and Brendan Taylor failed to gather the ball cleanly and shattered the stumps without the ball in hand. Rahane should have been out but he gets a life.

16:25 (IST) FACTOID: Amit Mishra's 18 wickets is now the most by any bowler in a 5 match series/tournament (read more). Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis had taken 17 wkts in 2008 Asia Cup (courtesy Mohandas Menon).

 

16:04 (IST) As players break for lunch, India are off to a rollicking start thanks to Shikhar Dhawan. Ajinkya Rahane also found the middle of the bat on more than one occasions. India are 43 for 1 in 6 overs, need another 121 runs from 44 overs. Dhawan has already hit 5 fours and a six, while Rahane has one four to his name. Cheteshwar Pujara was bowled by a jaffa by Kyle Jarvis in the first over of the run-chase. Earlier, Amit Mishra's six for 48 helped India bowl Zimbabwe out for 163.

 

16:00 (IST) First six of the innings, courtesy Shikhar Dhawan, very well hit, a lofted flick in front of square off Brian Vitori. Two balls later he drills the left-arm bowler past covers for four.

 

15:49 (IST) A flourishing drive by Shikhar Dhawan past extra cover gets India their first four of the innings. India 10/1 (3 overs) in chase of 164.

15:39 (IST) First Wicket - Big wicket this as Cheteshwar Pujara is out bowled for a duck, another failure for the Test regular. But a beauty of a ball from Kyle Jarvis, on and around off stump and comes in just a bit to beat the bat and hit the top of off and middle stump. Pujara was out for unlucky 13 in the previous game, his Zimbabwe tour is over. India 0/1 (1 over). Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in.

15:25 (IST) Final wicket - Zimbabwe are 163 all out! Brian Vitori (4) falls to Amit Mishra, out caught by Virat Kohli at slip, again fails to pick a googly. Mishra ends up with 6 for 48 in 8.5 overs and 18 wickets in the series. Sean Williams held the Zimbabwe innings together with a fluent 51 but he failed to get support from the other end.

15:17 (IST) Ninth Wicket: Amit Mishra you beauty! Gets his first 5-wicket haul in ODIs. Mushangwe, who was throwing caution to the wind, is out, outfoxed by a googly by the leggie. Mushangwe hit two sixes in his 16 off 14 balls. Amit Mishra has figures of 5 for 45, total of 17 wickets in the series. Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori at the crease.

15:08 (IST) Eighth Wicket: Sean Williams falls and what a pity! He's out playing the sweep off Amit Mishra and gets a leading edge, the ball loops in the air and is taken by Virat Kohli at slip.

15:05 (IST) Seventh Wicket: Amit Mishra strikes again, this time its Tinatenda Mutombodzi who is out caught by Suresh Raina at second slip. He made 4. Zimbabwe 126/7 (34 overs).

 

15:00 (IST) Sixth Wicket Elton Chigumbura is out lbw to Amit Mishra for a patient 17 off 37 balls (3 fours). It was a googly by Mishra and Chigumbura seems to have got an edge to that one. But umpire raises the finger.

14:54 (IST) Sean Williams brings up his 14th ODI half-century. Well played! He reached the milestone in his 55th ODI, in 62 balls, with the help of 6 fours. Whats more the fifty partnership is up between WIlliams and Chigumbura, in 10.5 overs. Zimbabwe 122/5 after 33 overs and drinks are on the field.

14:47 (IST) What great timing by Sean Williams, just nudged away past backward point and it races to the boundary. Zimbabwe 120/5 (32 overs)

 

14:42 (IST) Mohd Shami Ahmed is back into attack, replacing Ravindra Jadeja and the right-armer is hit for four towards straight mid-on by Elton Chigumbura. The partnership between Williams and Chigumbura is steadily gaining momentum.

14:34 (IST) The 100 is up for Zimbabwe thanks to a reverse sweep by Sean Williams, that goes for four, finer than the short third-man fieldsman. Zimbabwe 104/5 (29 overs).

14:24 (IST) Chigumbura is off the mark with a four past extra cover off Amit Mishra. Two balls earlier he had failed to connect on a free-hit after Mishy's no-ball. Zimbabwe 85 for 5 after 25 overs.

14:14 (IST) Fifth Wicket: Amit Mishra strikes on his first ball of the day! Although he started off with a half-tracker and Malcolm Waller's eyes lit up. But he only mistimed his pull to mid on where Mohit Sharma took a regulation catch. Waller scored 8. Zimbabwe 72 for 5 in 22.1 overs. New man is Elton Chigumbura.

14:08 (IST) Williams at it again - pulls Mohd Shami for four past mid wicket. Zimbabwe 68/4 after 21 overs.

14:00 (IST) Sean Williams gets his first four, sweeps Suresh Raina hard between deep backward square leg and mid wicket! Zimbabwe 60/4 after 19 overs.

13:46 (IST) Fourth Wicket - Hamilton Masakadza bowled by Ravindra Jadeja for 32. First ball after drinks and Jadeja gets his first wicket of the day! Masakadza chops it onto his stumps after playing back to that one. Malcolm Waller is the new man in. Zimbabwe 45/4 after 15.1 overs.

13:41 (IST) 15 overs gone and the hosts are struggling at 45 for 3. They would hope this pair of Masakadza and Sean Williams can string a good consolidating partnership. Will that happen?

13:29 (IST) Third Wicket: Timycen Maruma is out caught behind by Dinesh Karthik off Mohd Shami Ahmed in his first over. Maruma made 4 as Zimbabwe are 3 down for 37 after 13 overs.

13:27 (IST) FACTOID: Timycen Maruma is a right-handed middle order batsman. He was born on April 19, 1988 in Harare. He played 8 previous ODIs, 1 Test and 4 T20 internationals and has a highest score of 32 in ODIs.

13:21 (IST) Hamilton Masakadza breaks the shackles somewhat by a thunderous pull in front of square that beats the man in the deep for four in the 11th over. New man Timycen Maruma also gets off the mark with a three past extra cover. Zimbabwe 32/2 (11 overs)

 

13:12 (IST) Second Wicket - Brendan Taylor out caught by Suresh Raina at second slip off Mohit Sharma. The horror run for the Zimbabwe skipper continues as he edges a ball that held its line. Zimbabwe 23/2 (8.5 overs).

12:59 (IST) New-man in Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor finds to tough to play Jaydev Unadkat in the 6th over. Taylor has so far failed to make a notable contribution with the bat this series -  just 35 runs in four previous games. Zimbabwe 20/1 (6 overs)

 

12:51 (IST) First Wicket - Jaydev Unadkat gets India the breakthrough, Vusi Sibanda caught behind by Dinesh Karthik for 5. Zimbabwe 13/1 (4 overs).

 

Did you really have to take him all the way to Zimbabwe to demoralise him?? Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just do it at home??? #Rasool

- Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 3, 2013

 

12:42 (IST) That big booming drive of Hamilton Masakadza, gets him two fours in the 3rd over off Mohit Sharma.

12:37 (IST) Vusi Sibanda leans on that one and fetches the first four for Zimbabwe. An excellent, copybook-style extra cover drive off Jaydev Unadkat. Zimbabwe 5/0 (2 overs).

12:30 (IST) Mohit Sharma starts off proceedings for India with the new ball, Vusi Sibanda the man on strike. Change at the top of the order for the hosts as Hamilton Masakadza is opening with Sibanda. No game for talented Sikandar Raza Butt.

12:20 (IST) Teams:

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor(w/c), Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Timycen Maruma, Elton Chigumbura, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Natsai Mushangwe, Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis.

India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Shami Ahmed, Mohit Mahipal Sharma, Jaidev Unadkat.

 

12:00 (IST): Virat Kohli opts to bowl again. It's partially cloudy in Bulawayo and sadly no game for Rasool.

 

11:45 (IST): The last time India won an ODI series 5-0 was against England at home in 2008. It was a seven-match series but the England team returned home due to the Mumbai terror attacks and the last 2 games were not played.

 

11:30 (IST): Virat Kohli has led the way for Team India. Showing signs he definitely is the next leader in the making of a champion team. (Steve Waugh wants Kohli to keep calm)

 

11:14 (IST): Parvez Rasool is yet to play a game in the series. With Mohit Sharma making his debut in the previous match, there is a chance that Rasool may create history today by becoming the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to play for India. (Omar Abdullah urges BCCI to give Rasool a chance)

 

This is India's chance to win their series by a clean sweep overseas. Virat Kohli and his boys are not expected to treat this game like a dead rubber while Zimbabwe aim to play for pride and salvage one win. Preview

 

India are riding high on confidence after their fourth successive win over Zimbabwe when they thrashed the hosts by 9 wickets in the last ODI. Read