peterMehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
INDIA wrapped up the three-match One Day International cricket series after they thumped Zimbabwe by five wickets in the second ODI at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
With the win, India assumed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series having won the first ODI by 10 wickets last Thursday. As was the case in the first ODI, the batting let down Zimbabwe down once again, the home team bowled out for 161.
Sean Williams top scored with a run a ball 42 and fellow left hander Ryan Burl was second best with an unbeaten 39, the home team mopped up for 161 in 38.1 overs
India lost five wickets on their way to sealing the win with a massive 146 balls to spare. The visitors reached 167/5 in 25.4 overs. Just like they did in the opening ODI, Zimbabwe never recovered from a wobbly start with the bat.
They found themselves at 72/5 in the 21st over when their star batsman Sikandar Raza fell for 16, removed by left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav who had him caught by Ishan Kishan at backward point.
Right arm medium pace bowler Shardul Thakur had the best figures by an Indian bowler on the day of 3/38.
Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson top scored for India with an unbeaten 43 off 39 deliveries to see them over the line and pick up the Player of the Match accolade.
This was after India had lost Shikhar Dhawan, skipper KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Deepak Hooda in their run chase.
The third and final ODI is on at Harare Sports Club tomorrow where India go out on search of a clean sweep while Zimbabwe will be searching for a consolation win.
Since the matches are part of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Super League, a win for Zimbabwe in the last ODI will be crucial because the team is languishing second from bottom in the 13-team table, only better than Netherlands. Zimbabwe, with 35 points have won just three of the 17 matches they have played. — Follow on Twitter_29
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