India captain Sourav Ganguly admitted that Zimbabwe's late charge gave his side a fright in the tri-series match, and said the weather played a big part in allowing the opposition to get "very close".
"I didn't expect it to be this close when they were hundred for four after 30 overs," said Ganguly, after his side squeezed out a 24-run victory over the African minnows under lights at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.
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"After the rain, the ball became very wet and runs were coming easily in the last 12 overs. They were able to get eight or nine runs per over because the bowlers were not able to hit the length and spinners were not able to grip the ball.
"The weather did affect and somehow they got very close."
Ganguly was soft on his fielders, who struggled to stop the Zimbabweans from running twos whenever they hit in the outfield.
"It's a big ground and even when we were batting, we were getting a lot of twos by hitting in the deep.
"I admit they [fielders] have to get to the ball quicker, but then they are all young boys [Irfan] Pathan, [Lakshmipathi] Balaji and Rohan [Gavaskar] - and they will learn."
Ganguly still made mention of the good catching and strong throwing arms of his fielders, putting it down to good preparation before embarking on the tour.
"We had a good camp in Bangalore. We told ourselves if we wanted to be successful in Australia we needed good throwing arms. We were aware if we drop important catches against a good side [like Australia], we might struggle," Ganguly said.
"So far [catching and throwing] in the Test and one-day series has been outstanding."
Ganguly said it is more or less decided that Australia and India will contest the finals, but does not want to drop guard against the World champions in the remaining two league games against them.
"We have had two close games in Melbourne and Brisbane against Australia. When two good sides play, it happens. It always boils down to 95-96 overs of equal exchanges before three or four overs decide the games.
"It has happened in the first two games and we expect it to happen for the rest of the tour.
"I guess we know who are going to be the finalists. But it is important how we play against them before the finals. We are looking at the next two games, at Sydney and Perth, as critical."
India have four league games remaining with two scheduled against Australia at Sydney (January 22) and Perth (February 1).
Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak lamented that his top four batsmen still could not come to grips with the start required despite the reshuffle in the line-up.
"We just wanted somebody to do the job which Rahul Dravid did for India. Somebody in the top order has to bat through.
"We have shown that from over number 25 we actually bat pretty well. But that is only a repair job. We are showing early lapses and then batting as well as we can.
"It is up to the top four batsmen to be in some form and get some runs. Somebody has to play the anchor role and be there till the end."
"[Sean] Ervine and [Dion] Ebrahim showed if you back yourself the luck often goes your way."
Streak also bemoaned the loss of Mark Vermuelen due to a head injury, which affected his side's chase.
"If he had stayed who knows what would have happened. He was timing the ball so well."
Team physio Brad Robinson said there's a nasty fracture on Vermuelen's skull and he will need to stay in Brisbane for at least three weeks.
"He, at present, is on antibiotics and pain-killers. After his operation is done, he would need to be in Brisbane for two-three weeks; he would need a few months to recover."
"It is the second time it has happened to him. It happened in the World Cup also in the nets when he was hit on the left side of his eye."
Streak ruled out any replacement for Vermuelen, stating there are two batsmen, Visu Sibanda and Stuart Matsikenyeri sitting on the bench.
