The second string Indian team lead by Ajinkya Rahane did not learn from their first match failure against Zimbabwe at Harare. It was two three player show who together put 176 runs to the India’s total tally of 271. Among the three, when Ambati Rayudu get out, India were at 203 for four with nine overs left, but India lost the plot in last 10 overs as Zimbabwe restricted the fancied vistors.
Earlier today, Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura, once again, won the toss and asked to India bat first.
India got slow but steady start from opening duo Ajnakya Rahane and Murli Vijay.
Rahane and Vijay scored 112 in the first wicket partnership, before Rahane edged one to cover to a straight delivery of Chibhabha delivery at 26 the over, as the Mumbaikar closed the face of the bat early, as a result ball flied to cover fielder Sikandar Raza. Thus, Zimbabwe got their first breakthrough.
Rahane played a cautious innings of 63 off 83 balls with seven fours.
Both Rahane and Vijay preferred to rotate the strike with singles. They were were accumulating runs with an run-rate of 4.30 rpo (in and around that).
After Rahane’s departure, Rayudu coming at no3 looked to accelerate the innings.
Vijay and Rayudu both decided to go for big shots. On the 29.5 Vijay hit Chibhabha for a straight six. Rayudu hit a four of the first ball of the next over.
But it was Vijay, who was batting at 49 off 79 balls, switched his run scoring momentum, hitting six in the last ball of the 31st over to reach his maiden half century that took five years to come.
Vijay scored 72 runs off 95 balls as his gutsy innings finally came to an end in the 34 the over when Vijay lofted Neville Madziva delivery, but he did not swing the bat hard enough, Waller came all the way to grab the catch at deep midwicket, which he almost dropped.
When India were 159 losing two wickets, Manoj Tiwary (22 off 26) came to bat, but he squandered another opportunity to play a big innings as he was caught by Brian Vitori off Tiripiano.
Before Manoj, Ambati Rayudu left a promising innings in disarray as he was picked up by Sikandra Raza at his personal score 41.
Mini collapse for India, Robin Uthappa was clean bowled by Madziva at his personal score 13. India still had 8 overs of game left.
Sturat Binny (25) and Kedar Yadav (16) later added 31 runs to take India’s tally to 271 in 50 allotted overs.
Zimbabwe bowlers deserve credit to restrict India inside 271, as they struggled to break the opening partnership of Ajinkya Rahane and Murli Vijay till 26th over. Since, then they took wickets in regular interval.
Meanwhile, Indian middle order once again failed to deliver when the team badly needed a partnership, as a result India was cut short of 30 runs.
Twitter rections to India’s innings:
Chetan Sharma took a little longer than Vijay – 5y-10m-18d to make his maiden 50+. But he went on to a 100 Vijay missed that today #ZimvInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 12, 2015
RT dna: LIVE | India v/s Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI: India squander sound foundation to finish at 271/8 http://t.co/UobfOcHpTi;
— Michael Vasanth (@Michael_Vasanth) July 12, 2015
2nd ODI: Zimbabwe came back strongly in late overs to restrict India to 271/8 (Rahane 63, Vijay 72) #ZIMvsIND http://t.co/4O1BD4FUuA
— Rameen Malik (@Rameenmalik55) July 12, 2015
What is the point of doing a mid-match show with “experts” no body cares to listen? On the contrary, Asheh coverage is different. #ZIMvIND
— Vimal Kumar (@Vimalwa) July 12, 2015
Although India got 271 but I’m disappointed with our batting. Manoj is off no use. Manish should play. Robin should open. #ZimvInd
— ABHISHEK BISWAS (@IM_AB7) July 12, 2015