2nd ODI, Harare, August 20, 2022, 12:45 PM
Zimbabwe
161/10(38.1ov)
India
167/5(25.4ov)
India beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets
That's it then from this game and it is India who have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. There is however one more game left in the series and Zimbabwe will be looking to finish off with a win. The 3rd and final ODI will be played on Monday, 22nd August and will begin at 12.45 pm IST (7.15 am GMT) but our build-up will begin sooner. Do join us then. Till then, take care and goodbye!
KL Rahul, the Indian captain, says that they bat deep and it was good that a few batters got some time in the middle. Smiles and says that changing his batting order didn't work. Tells that it was important for him to take some confidence from this series but it didn't happen for him in this match. Adds that Zimbabwe have a few quality bowlers in their ranks and shares that he watched Zimbabwe's series against Bangladesh. Calls it a good challenge for their batters. Informs that it will be a rest day for them on Sunday. Thanks the spectators for turning up and supporting them.
Sanju Samson is the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 43 and three catches behind the stumps. Says that when you spend time in the middle, you feel really good. Adds that he is happy to take three catches but at the same time smiles and reminds us that he missed out on a couple of chances as well. Mentions that in this match their fast bowlers picked up the good areas fairly early and he loved his time behind the stumps.
Regis Chakabva, the captain of Zimbabwe, says that they had a really good fight on the field and is happy that they picked a few wickets. Regrets that there were not enough runs on the board. Admits that their batting lacks execution and hopes to improve. Praises his bowlers for coming out charging and hitting the good areas.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
There was no improvement shown by Zimbabwe in this game with the bat. They lost a crucial toss and their batting didn't perform to its true potential. There were plenty of avoidable shots played and the end result was 161 all out, 28 less than the first ODI. Unless and until this facet of their game puts in the hard yards, there is no hope for them, even in the last ODI. India, on the other hand, got the chance to give some exposure to their middle-order batters and achieved most of the things from this contest.
The approach from India in the chase was different compared to the first ODI. Their focus was more on scoring at a quick rate rather than being sedate and preserving the wickets. The move to use KL Rahul as an opener and give him some much-needed 'game time' didn't work as he departed cheaply. Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill though played sublime knocks and displayed their form once again. The rest of the work of closing the game was done with ease by the stand between Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda, who got out with the victory in sight.
An easy win for India, yet again, but this time around, they spent a few wickets to reach the target. Unlike their batters, the Zimbabwean bowlers improved their show with the ball, showing good pace and bowling with a lot of heart. That said, the consistency factor was still missing, and this is something they will need to improve. Right then, 14 wins in a row for India now in ODIs, against Zimbabwe, and they've sealed the deal here.
In over# 26
6
0
0
0
Innocent Kaia 6/0(0.4)
25.4
6
SIX! High and handsome! Fuller in length, around off, Sanju Samson was waiting for a ball to fall in his hitting zone. As soon as he finds one, Samson hammers it over long on for a biggie. INDIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS with 146 balls to spare!
25.3
.
Short again, around off, punched to covers.
25.2
.
Around off, and a touch short again, Samson defends it from the back foot.
25.1
.
Short and outside off, Samson mistimes his cut shot and it rolls near the playing area.
In over# 25
1
0
1wd
1
0
4
0
Wesley Madhevere 7/0(1)
24.6
1
Quicker delivery on the pads, Samson eases it to deep mid-wicket for a single and stretches the match into the next over. Scores are level.
24.5
.
Shortish and on middle, Samson forces it off his back foot to mid on. No run.
24.5
1wd
Wide! Wesley fires this one flat and down the leg side, Samson allows it through.
24.4
1
Flatter and shorter on off, punched down to long off for one.
24.3
.
Quicker one, around off, Patel goes back and punches it in the direction of the bowler. Wesley picks it up on his left side.