India vs Zimbabwe: Dazzling debutont

Opener K.L. Rahul became the first Indian to hit a century on one-day international debut as he secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

With just two runs required for victory, Rahul launched Hamilton Masakadza for six to finish unbeaten on 100, as India chased down a target of 169 with more than seven overs to spare.

Such a dramatic finish was in stark contrast to an otherwise lethargic match on a sluggish wicket that followed the expected trajectory, with India’s second-string side proving too good for a full-strength Zimbabwean outfit despite Zimbabwe interim coach Makhaya Ntini’s pre-series comments about sweeping the tourists under the carpet.

While Rahul has already scored two centuries in five Tests, this is his first tour with the limited overs side and he made an immediate mark.

“It’s a great thing to get an ODI hundred, but to get it in my first match is something very special to me,” he said.

“I always knew I had the game and the skill set to be successful in all three formats, it was just about getting the opportunities and getting the confidence in myself to know that I can perform at any level.”

Playing just his second ODI, seamer Jasprit Bumrah recorded figures of 4/28 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 168 after India had won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first.

Opening bowlers Barinder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni both used the early-morning swing on offer to make inroads at the top of the Zimbabwean innings, and that damage was compounded when Bumrah dismissed opener Chamu Chibhabha and then Vusi Sibanda in his opening spell.

With the hosts reduced to 69/4 in the 20th over, spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal were able to strangle Zimbabwe through the middle overs, picking up a wicket apiece and conceding just 53 runs in their combined 20 overs.

Top scorer Elton Chigumbura attempted to lift Zimbabwe to a respectable score with a late flourish, but was eventually bowled by Bumrah for 41 in the final over of the innings.

SCOREBOARD Zimbabwe: P. Moor lbw b Sran 3, C. Chibhabha b Bumrah 13, H. Masakadza c Dhoni b Kulkarni 14, C. Ervine c sub b Patel 21, V. Sibanda c Dhoni b Bumrah 5, S. Raza b Sran 23, E. Chigumbura b Bumrah 41, R. Mutumbami c Rahul b Chahal 15, G. Cremer b Kulkarni 8, T. Chatara c Rayudu b Bumrah 4, T. Muzarabani (not out) 1. Extras: (lb3, w14, nb3) 20. Total: (in 49.5 overs) 168. FoW: 1-8, 2-30, 3-47, 4-69, 5-77, 6-115, 7-140, 8-156, 9-167. Bowling: Kulkarni 10-1-42-2 (1w), Sran 10-0-42-2 (6w), Bumrah 9.5-2-28-4 (3nb, 2w), Patel 10-1-26-1 (1w), Chahal 10-1-27-1.

India: K. L. Rahul (not out) 100, K. Nair c Raza b Chatara 7, A. Rayudu (not out) 62. Extras: (lb1, w3) 4. Total: (for 1 wkt, in 42.3 overs) 173. FoW: 1-11. Bowling: Chatara 7-1-20-1, Muzarabani 6-0-18-0, Chibhabha 8-1-14-0 (1w), Cremer 10-0-47-0, Chigumbura 4-0-34-0 (2w), Raza 5-0-20-0, Masakadza 2.3-0-19-0.