India clinched a comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe in the 1^st ODI of 3-match ODI series at Harare on Saturday. After winning the toss, Indian skipper MS Dhoni decided to bowl first.

From the beginning of their innings, Zimbabwean batsmen struggled against the Indian bowlers as the host bundled out at just 168 runs (49.5 overs). In reply, India chased the small total comfortably as India lost a just only wicket. India won the match by 9 wickets with 45 balls to spare.

Some of the statistical highlights of the match are given below:

2.65 was the overall economy of Indian spinners in the match. Indian left-arm spinner Axar Patel’s bowling figure was 10-1-26-1 (economy rate 2.60) and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling figure was 10-1-27-1 (economy rate 2.70).

It was India’s ninth best overall economical bowling by the spinners together in an ODI where they have bowled minimum 20 overs together.

Indian debutant leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal bowled beautifully in the match as finished with the figure of 10-1-27-1. Chahal became the second best economical bowler (2.70) for India who made ODI debut against Zimbabwe.

Making ODI debut playing against Zimbabwe, the best economical bowling for India was 2.60 by Mohit Sharma (10-3-26-2) at Bulawayo on 1^st August 2013.

Zimbabwe bowled out for just 168 runs (49.5 overs) in this match. It was the second lowest total for Zimbabwe at 1^st batting against India at Harare. At Harare, the lowest 1^st batting total for Zimbabwe against India was 133 (41.5 overs) on 24^th June 2001.

In this match, two ODI debutants opened for India. It was the third time in ODI history (including India’s first ever ODI match) that both ODI debutants opened for India.

Last time two debutants opened for India in an ODI on 21^st February 1976. In that match, Parthasarthi Sharma and Dilip Vengsarkar had opened against New Zealand at Christchurch.

Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu completed 1,000 ODI career runs in this match which were Rayudu’s 29^th ODI. Rayudu became the jointly fourth fastest Indian batsman to reach the landmark along with MS Dhoni (29 innings).

Indian debutant opening batsman KL Rahul (ODI debut) became 1^st Indian and 11^th international cricketer to hit a century in his ODI debut. In this match, KL Rahul remained unbeaten at exact 100 runs.

Also, KL Rahul became the first ever international cricketer to hit a century in his first innings as an opener both in Test and ODI.

It was the fourth time in ODI history that India beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets.

With this match win, India became the jointly second team to win most ODI matches along with Pakistan. Both the teams have won 452 ODIs till the date while Australia is standing on the top with 539 ODI victories.

9. With this match win, Indian limited-over captain MS Dhoni became the second captain in the international cricket to win 100 overseas international matches.

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was the first captain to win 100 overseas international matches. As a captain, Ponting won total 126 international matches at overseas.