India crush Zimbabwe to seal ODI series 2-0

INDIA WIN BY 8 WICKETS, WIN SERIES 2-1

India 129-2 (26.5 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

India thrashed Zimbabwe by eight wickets in the 2nd ODI to seal the three-match series 2-0.

Ambati Rayudu top scored with an unbeaten 41 from 44 balls as India cruised to 129 for two in 26.5 overs after Zimbabwe were bowled out for a lowly 126.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal starred with the ball for India, claiming three for 25 in six overs.

INDIA WIN BY 8 WICKETS, WIN SERIES 2-1

India 129-2 (26.5 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

Part-time off-spinner Sikandar Raza comes into the attack. He makes a tidy start, giving away just two singles in his first over and Cremer concedes four in the next over.

Against the run of play, India lose the wicket of Nair, a couple of runs from the finish. The youngster looks to play the sweep but is beaten and caught in front of the stumps.

Nair walks back after a steady knock of 39 from 68 balls with India just two runs away from a series win.

He is replaced by his Karnataka team mate Manish Pandey, who drives the first ball he faces through the covers for a four to end the match in style.

India cruise to 129 for two in 26.5 overs to complete an emphatic eight-wicket victory with 139 balls to spare to seal the three-match series with a game still to go.

India 117-1 (24 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

Chibhabha, who has bowled a tight spell, errs for once as he oversteps and gives away a no-ball and a free hit.

And Nair, who is gifted his second free hit, again takes full toll as he pulls it over midwicket for a four, his fourth, to take his score to 30.

That was the first boundary Chibhabha has conceded in two games.

Chigumbura is going for runs as Rayudu slaps a full delivery straight back past the bowler for a four and then smashes the next through midwicket for the same result.

The pacer bowls another leg side wide which the keeper can't stop cleanly for two wides. A single to Rayudu helps India raise their 100, in the 22nd over.

Chibhabha seems to be tiring. He again drops short as Rayudu pulls it confidently through midwicket for a four and hits the last ball through the off-side for the second four of the over to race to 32 from 33 balls.

Nair, who has shown great patience till this point, joins in the party. He comes down the track to Cremer and lofts him over midwicket for a four.

The leg-spinner drops short as Rayudu pulls it through midwicket for a boundary as the Indians hit a flurry of fours to speed up their run chase.

India are inching closer to a series win, as they reach 117 for one in 24 overs with just 10 more runs needed for victory.

India 83-1 (20 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

Ambati Rayudu struggled to get going in the first ODI but here he has got off to a smashing start with two successive boundaries.

A full delivery from Chatara is driven past mid-off for a four while he cuts the next ball past point for another boundary as 10 runs come from the 16th over.

Nair is looking pretty settled and is happy to bide his time and collect some easy runs. He clips Chibhabha fine on the leg side for two runs as the match rolls at a very dull pace.

Rayudu looks to pull Chibhabha but gets a top edge which falls safely on the leg side as the runs come at a trickle for the Indians.

Zimbabwe's bowlers are content to delay things as late as possible by bowling a disciplined line whereas India's batsmen are not in any rush.

Elton Chigumbura comes into the attack and he pushes the scoring rate by giving away five wides, down the leg side. Rayudu plays a nice drive through the covers for two runs before the pacer bowls another leg side wide.

India are cruising on 83 for one in 20 overs, needing 44 runs from 30 overs for victory.

India 58-1 (15 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

The match gets underway after the lunch break, with India needing just 79 runs for victory from 37 overs. Both the openers will be keen to finish unbeaten and score some easy runs at the international level.

Rahul clips the fourth ball of the 14th over, bowled by Chatara, on the leg side for two runs to take India past the 50-run mark.

Chibhabha makes the breakthrough in the second over after the resumption. Rahul suffers a lapse of concentration as he inside edges it back on to his stumps to be bowled for 33.

Chibhabha, who bowled well in the first match, is once again doing a good with the ball, taking one for 12 in five overs.

Despite the wicket, India are in control on 58 for one in 15 overs.

LUNCH BREAK!

India 48-0 (13 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

Rahul looks to flick Chibhabha through midwicket but gets a thick outside edge which falls safely and goes to thirdman for one.

The two openers looking in no hurry at all as India cruise to 42 for no loss in 10 overs, with another 85 needed from 40 overs for victory at just over two runs per over.

Rahul, on 22, gets a lifeline as Raza puts down a tough low chance at extra cover off Chibhabha, in the 11th over.

Nair getting into his groove as he turns Chibhabha through midwicket for two runs to take his score to 20.

Leg-spinner Graeme Creme comes into the attack. With the lunch interval round the corner, both Rahul and Nair have cut out the risky shots and concentrating on just ones and twos.

This is Test match stuff as Chibhabha keeps it on a good area just outside the off-stump while Rahul gets his feet perfectly to the pitch and looks to defend everything.

He is happy to see off the last over before the lunch break and ensure that India go into the interval without any dramas.

However, he looks to cut the last ball but it stays a bit low and beats him.

At the break, India are well placed on 48 for no loss in 13 overs with Rahul on 25 from 42 balls and Nair on 21 from 36 balls. They need another 79 runs for victory from 37 overs with all 10 wickets in hand to seal the three-match series.

India 37-0 (8 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

Nair growing in confidence as he plays a cracking drive through the covers off Chatara for his second boundary.

But the right-hander throws away a good opportunity as he slashes at a wide delivery only to get an edge and is caught behind for 10.

The umpires want to check the replays for the front foot and the TV umpire confirms that Chatara has indeed overstepped which means Nair gets a lifeline and also a freehit.

A much-needed lifeline for Nair and it remains to be seen if the youngster makes most of it.

Nair smashes the free hit delivery back over the bowler's head for a four to add to the bowler's misery as India reach 28 for no loss in five overs.

But Nair is keen not to let his lifeline go waste as he watchfully plays out a maiden over from Muzarabani.

Medium pacer Chibhabha comes into the attack. Again Nair pokes his bat at a wide outswinger but he is lucky that he didn't get any edge on that one. He needs to be careful with those deliveries.

At the other end, Rahul looks in complete control as he drills a full delivery through the covers for a boundary.

The last ball is short as Rahul rocks back and cuts it past point for the second four of the over as India reach 37 for no loss in eight overs. They need another 90 runs from 42 overs for victory with all 10 wickets in hand.

India 17-0 (4 ovs) vs Zim 126 | Scorecard

Zimbabwe were bowled out in the 35th over which means India will come out to bat for a few overs before we have the mid innings break.

The Karnataka duo of KL Rahul and Karun Nair walk out to open the innings with just 127 to chase for a series victory.

Pacer Tendai Chatara bowls the first over and he starts off with a maiden to Rahul, who is content to play it cautiously. He was beaten a couple of times in the over as he went to hit it through the off-side.

Taurai Muzarabani to bowl the second over. Nair gets off the mark with a quick single on the off-side before Rahul slaps the next ball through the covers for three runs.

Nair, who was out cheaply in the first match, takes another quick run on the leg side.

The pacer again drops short and wide as Rahul smashes it through the off-side for the first boundary of the Indian innings.

In the next over, Nair gets his first boundary as he pulls a short ball from Chatara through midwicket, that will give him a lot of confidence.

The in-form Rahul, meanwhile, plays a cracking straight drive for a beautiful boundary as Muzarabani overpitches.

India's openers are having it easy as they cruise to 17 for no loss in four overs.

Zim 126-all out (34.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Zimbabwe have lost six wickets for 18 runs in the last nine overs. They were 106 for three after 25 overs, but have lost their way since then after Chahal triggered the collapse as he claimed two wickets in the 26th over.

A brief spell from the pacers, Bumrah and Kulkarni, in which they both claimed a wicket each before spin is brought back in the form of Axar.

Axar ends Zimbabwe's innings as Taurai Muzarabani is trapped leg before wicket by the arm delivery which went straight on and dismissed him for five.

With Sean Williams unable to bat because of an injury, Zimbabwe are bundled out for 126 in 34.3 overs.

Chahal was India's top wicket-taker as he took three for 25 in six overs, while Sran and Kulkarni again bagged two wickets each and Bumrah and Axar got one wicket each.

Zim 115-8 (32 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

The wickets continue to tumble for Zimbabwe as Kulkarni strikes in the next over as Tendai Chatara is beaten by the incoming delivery and bowled for two.

The right-hander plays all over it as he looks to whip it across the line through midwicket but made no connection.

Zimbabwe in danger of being bowled out well before their quota of 50 overs.

Remember Sean Williams is unavailable for batting, which means they have just one wicket in hand.

Zim 114-7 (31 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

And Zimbabwe make it worse for themselves as the well-set Sibanda has a go at Chahal but ends up holing out to Karun Nair at long-on.

A poor shot under the circumstances from Sibanda, who walks back after a good innings of 53 from 69 balls.

Chahal, continues his wicket ways, having claimed his third wicket in the space of nine deliveries to push Zimbabwe back further as they are reduced to 107 for six, in the 28th over.

The two Indian spinners have once again made an impact in the middle overs. While Chahal has been among the wickets, Axar has bowled tight from the other end by stopping the flow of runs to build up the pressure.

Chahal, who claimed three for 25 in six overs, gets a break as Dhawal comes back into the attack.

Zimbabwe have their lower order batsmen Richmond Mutumbami and Graeme Cremer out in the middle as they look to stitch a partnership and steer their team to a fighting total.

Kulkarni also bowls a tight over with Zimbabwe struggling to 111 for six in 30 overs.

Pace from both ends now as Bumrah is called back into the attack. And he immediately strikes, with the wicket of Mutumbami, who is caught behind off an inside edge for one. The batsman is not too happy with the call and walks back shaking his head as Zimbabwe slip to 112 for seven in the 31st over.

Zim 106-5 (26 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India check Zimbabwe's progress as Chahal takes two wickets in two deliveries, in the 26th over.

Raza went for big hit down the ground but only managed to hit it straight into the hands of the fielder at long-on to be dismissed for 16 from 41 balls.

Elton Chigumbura is dismissed off the first ball he faces, trapped leg before wicket as he tries to defend but plays down the wrong line.

And to add to Zimbabwe's horror, Sean Williams won't be batting after he sustained a finger injury during warm-ups. He was included in the playing eleven in place of Craig Ervine but picked up an injury after the toss took place he could not be replaced. He has apparently gone to hospital for scans and might not be available for batting which effectively means Zimbabwe are six down at the moment.

A double wicket-maiden for Chahal helps him resurrect his bowling figures after he went for runs in his first three overs.

Zim 106-3 (25 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Axar comes back into the attack in place of Bumrah, who bowled a good testing first spell of four overs for 18 runs.

Three dot balls to start his new spell before Raza hits Patel through point for two runs to bring up the 50-run stand for the fourth wicket.

In the next over, Sibanda makes most of a short ball from Chahal as he pulls it through midwicket for a four followed by a single from the last ball.

Sibanda looking in complete control. A wide half-volley from Axar is smashed through the covers for a four by the right-hander before he takes a single from the fourth ball.

Sibanda drives Chahal to long-off for a single to bring up Zimbabwe's 100, in the 24th over as the hosts make a good recovery after being reduced to 39 for three at one stage.

Axar drops short as Sibanda pulls him over midwicket for a four to bring up his fifty in style, from 58 balls.

His half-century has been instrumental in Zimbabwe's good recovery as they reach 106 for three at the halfway stage.

Zim 87-3 (20 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Axar once again looking to bowl his overs quickly and not giving away anything and the two batsmen are also content to play him for ones and twos.

Patel is taken off after two overs as he makes way for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Two singles from the first four deliveries before Sibanda lofts the leggie over long-on for a six and steers the next ball through point for two runs.

An expensive start for Chahal as he goes for 10 runs in his first over.

Meanwhile, at the other end Bumrah continues to beat the bat and Raza, in particular, looks all at sea against him.

But he manages to break the shackles as he punches a short wide delivery from the pacer through the covers for a four.

Sibanda looking to go after Chahal as he attempts the slog sweep against the leggie but fails to make proper connection for two runs to midwicket.

Chahal oversteps to give away a free hit which Raza can't make most and picks just a single. The leg-spinner has gone for seven runs in his second over for a total of 17 runs in two overs.

Zimbabwe have made a good recovery to reach 87 for three in 20 overs with Sibanda on 36 and Raza on 13 as the duo have put on 48 runs for the fourth wicket at nearly five runs per over.

Zim 61-3 (15 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Six overs each for Sran and also for Kulkarni. Sikander Raza turns the second ball of the latter's sixth  over on the leg side for one to get off the mark before Sibanda is beaten by one which moves away. The right-hander turns the last ball through the leg side for two runs to end another probing over from the Mumbai pacer.

First bowling change for India as Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack in place of Sran, who bowled a good first spell of two for 17 in six overs.

Another bowling change as left-arm spinner Axar Patel is called into bowl in place of Kulkarni, who took one for 26 in six overs, in his first spell.

He makes a good start as Raza is nearly done in trying to play the late cut before he defends the last ball of the over as Zimbabwe struggle to 50 for three in 14 overs.

Sibanda breaks the shackles as he lofts Bumrah over midwicket for a four and then turns the next ball to thirdman for two runs.

Bumrah attempts a bouncer but slips it way down the leg side to be called a wide.

Bumrah struggling to find his rhythm as a short ball is punched square on the off-side in some style by Sibanda, who is looking good as he races to 22 from 24 balls.

Bumrah makes a good comeback as he beats Sibanda three balls in a row as with the hosts reaching 61 for three in 15 overs.

Zim 39-3 (10 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Once again Zimbabwe are struggling against the new ball as India's fast bowlers resort to bowling a good line and length.

Chibhabha is looking a bit settled, having played out the early overs and is keeping the scoreboard moving with one and twos.

Sran bowls one wide as Chibhabha cuts it past point but gets only three runs before Vusi Sibanda picks one to thirdman. Chibhabha continues to keep the runs coming at a fair rate as he turns the the ball through midwicket for two runs followed by a leg bye off the last ball.

Chibhabha pulls a short ball from Kulkarni through midwicket for two runs before he plays a stylish drive through the covers for another couple.

But again Zimbabwe lost a wicket just at the wrong time. Chibhabha looks to play Dhawal against the line but misses and is struck right in front of the stumps to be dismissed for 21.

After 10 overs, Zimbabwe are left reeling on 39 for three.

Zim 22-2 (7 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Dhawal cuts new batsman Peter Moor into half with a superb incoming delivery which beats the right-hander and goes over the stumps. A few deliveries later, he is beaten by the outswinger as he plays away from his body as Dhawal bowls a superb maiden over.

Sran strikes again and this time it is the wicket of Moor, who was struggling against the moving again and is trapped leg before wicket for one. That looked a bit too harsh as the ball looked to going over the stumps with the impact above the knee roll. Moor won't like it when he sees the replay back in the dressing room.

Zimbabwe reeling on 22 for two in seven overs.

Zim 20-1 (5 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Dhawal bowls a full delivery on the pads as Chibhabha picks it over square leg but fails to get enough as he picks three runs over square leg.

Two balls later, Masakadza punches a wide delivery through the covers for a boundary before he throws his bat at another wide delivery which goes over the cover fielder for two runs.

Sran makes the first breakthrough with the wicket of Masakadza (9), in the fifth over of the innings. The right-hander went after a wide delivery from the left-arm pacer but only managed to hole out a simple catch to Jasprit Bumrah on the thirdman fence.

Zim 9-0 (3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

It is very cold at the Harare Sports Club and the weather has just started to brighten up a bit as the players walk out to the middle.

Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha are the two openers the hosts Zimbabwe, while left-arm pacer Barinder Sran will open the bowling for India.

Sran immediately gets the ball to come in as Masakadza somehow manages to play out the first over, getting hit on the pads once but mostly looked nervous in that first over.

Dhawal Kulkarni comes on from the other end. Chibhabha flicks the fourth ball, full and on his pads, through midwicket for a four to get Zimbabwe off the mark. The right-hander is beaten off the last ball as he has a wild swing but the ball bounces short of wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Masakadza looks to pull a short ball from Sran but gets hit on the gloves as it falls on the leg side for one and Chibhabha takes one off the next.

Masakadza slaps the fifth ball through midwicket for two runs before he defends the last ball as Zimbabwe reach nine for no loss in three overs.

India, who crushed hosts Zimbabwe in the first match by a convincing nine-wicket margin, would be looking to wrap up the series with another dominating performance.

KL Rahul was India's star performer in the first match as he hit an unbeaten 100 from 115 balls and in the process also became the first India to score a century on his ODI debut.

Ambati Rayudu played a sedate innings of 62 from 120 balls, while debutant Karun Nair perished cheaply, after scoring just seven.

Jasprit Bumrah was India's top performer with the ball as he claimed 4-28, while pacers Dhawal Kulkarni and Barinder Sran picked up two wickets each.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bowl against Zimbabwe.

India, who lead the three-match series 1-0, have retained the same combination which won the opening match on Saturday.

Welcome to the coverage of the second One-Day International between Zimbabwe and India, in Harare, on Monday.

The latest from Harare is that the toss has been delayed by 10 minutes.