India Destroy Zimbabwe in Videocon Tri-Series

By Shahnawaz Vahora
August 30 2005

Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar produce a devastating display of pace bowling to fire out Zimbabwe for a record low total of 65 in the third ODI of the Videocon Triangular.

The day had started on a grim note for the Indian batsmen, and not even the most loyal Indian supporter could have imagined the rout that was to follow after the innings break.

An Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar-inspired Indian attack pounced on the hapless Zimbabwean batting side, which appeared to have no clue how to play quality fast bowling. Batsman after batsman was undone by control of line, length and swing by Irfan Pathan, and to be fair, even the best in the business would have been troubled by the incisive inswing Pathan was generating.

Little had gone right for India in the morning after Taibu had won the toss and chosen to send India in to bat on what looked like good batting surface, but was in reality a deceptively slow pitch.

The Chappell experiments continued as Venu Rao was sent out to open the innings along with Sourav Ganguly, a sensible decision mind you considering Rao’s excellent technique and ability to grind and withstand pressure. It was a shame that he was undone by a second corker of a ball in four days for his second duck of the series. Ganguly meanwhile briefly held up one end with a steady 20, but then succumbed to his now customary habit of hopelessly prodding at a short length delivery and getting out.

After Heath Streak’s excellent and economical start, the spinners took over and what followed was an extremely timid display of batting from India. Rahul Dravid was undone by an absolute gem from off-break bowler Utseya, after which Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh began to grind and grit their way through the middle overs. Kaif at 65 was brilliantly caught and bowled just when he looked thoroughly set; Mahendra Dhoni’s arrival came, considering the situation, at a crucial time. India were at a meagre 121-4 in the 34th over, with Yuvraj at 19 off 42 deliveries, and not much batting to come after him.

Dhoni started cautiously, but once set he started to bludgeon the Zimbabwean bowling. The pitch was by no means conducive to his kind of stroke play, yet all credit to him for adapting and producing precisely what India needed: controlled aggression to protect the lower order, all the while scoring briskly and with minimal risk.

All four of Dhoni’s sixes were a treat to watch, especially the last one which was propelled out of the stadium somewhere into Harare’s main market. Dhoni’s free-stroking spirit soon got to Yuvraj, and he too got into his groove, hitting a lovely square drive lofted over point to show his prowess. And with that partnership, India reached a relatively respectable total of 226.

It was good to see the way Yuvraj and Kaif were able to graft their way through on a tough pitch against a disciplined attack. They both showed a resolve that was lacking earlier. Normally when things are not going his way, if there are demons in the pitch or if the opposition is intimidating, Yuvraj tends to gift his wicket away rather than grind. Today he not only gritted, but when the time came, also smashed his way to a 50; particularly pleasing was the way he remained unbeaten until the end, refusing to give his wicket away.

If India's batting was a touch disappointing, their bowling was a thorough delight. Young Pathan ran in hard with intent, aggression and hunger, and extracted venom from the pitch. Banana in-swingers accounted for Taylor, Carlisle and Ewing, and Ganguly took an outstanding catch stretching forward to dismiss his counterpart Taibu. Coventry played a harmless delivery onto his stumps to complete Irfan Pathan's maiden ODI 5-for.

Ajit Agarkar also bowled with spirit to earn a well-deserved 4-for. He accounted for Sibanda with a caught-and-bowled, Masakadza and Blignaut trapped plumb in front, and Mahwire bowled by a sharply incoming delivery. Harbhajan completed the formalities with a good ball to end a satisying day out for the Indian team.