Team India completed a 3-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe in the ODI series, with a nervy 13-run victory in the third and final game at Harare Sports Club on Monday (August 22).

Opting to bat first, the visitors rode on opener Shubman Gill’s maiden ODI ton to post 289/8 on the board. Ishan Kishan (50), Shikhar Dhawan (40) and stand-in skipper KL Rahul (30) also chipped in with the bat.

Brad Evans was the stand-out bowler for Zimbabwe, claiming a five-wicket haul by conceding 54 runs in his 10 overs.

In reply, the hosts lost Innocent Kaia (6), Takudzwanashe Kaitano (13), and Tony Munyonga (15) cheaply but Sean Williams kept them in the hunt with a handy knock of 46-ball 45.

After his dismissal, Sikandar Raza took the matter into his hands and belted the Indian bowlers all over the park. Even though Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Raza held the one end firmly and gave a ray of hope to the home team.

Sikandar Raza completed his century off 87 balls and was involved in a 104-run stand for the eighth wicket with Brad Evans, who scored 28.

 Zimbabwe needed 18 runs off 13 balls and it was then Avesh Khan broke the dangerous partnership by dismissing Brad Evans. In the penultimate over, Shardul Thakur removed Sikandar Raza (115 off 95 balls) to put the final nail in the coffin.

After that it was a formality for India as they bowled out Zimbabwe for 276 in 49.3 overs. While Avesh returned with the figures of 3/66 in his 9.3 overs, Kuldeep Yadav, Akshar Patel and Deepak Chahar picked two scalps each.

Brief Scores:

India – 289/8 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 130; Brad Evans 5-54) defeated Zimbabwe – 276/10 in 49.3 overs (Sikandar Raza 115; Avesh Khan 3-66; Akshar Patel 2-30; Kuldeep Yadav 2-38) by 13 runs