Image courtesy of: NDTV

Kohli remained unbeaten on 68 to ensure India won the series

India skipper Virat Kohli played a captain’s innings to help his side take an unassailable 3-0 lead over Zimbabwe in their five-match series.

Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 68, was well supported by spinner Amit Mishra, who took four wickets to incapacitate the Zimbabwean batting line-up.

Kohli won the toss and decided to bowl first, despite Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor’s observations of the pitch not having as much in it for the pace bowlers as it did in the last two ODIs.

However, it was the men in blue who were on top early on into the match as Zimbabwe openers Vusi Sibanda and Sikandar Raza were both back in the pavilion with just two runs on the scoreboard.

But, Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza stabilised the Zimbabwe innings with a brilliant 65-run partnership before Taylor himself was dismissed for 23 by Indian seamer Jaydev Unadkat.

Taylor’s wicket was the starting point of Zimbabwe’s middle order collapse as they went from 67/3 to 89/6.

While the wickets continued to fall, all-rounder Sean Williams stood tall amongst the rubble and scored an excellent 45 runs off 53 balls, which included two boundaries and one maximum to give his side some hope of posting a decent total.

Some late resistance by Tendai Chatara, who made 23, and Brian Vitori, who made 17, helped Zimbabwe reach a total of 183 before they were bowled out with four overs to spare.

Mishra was the pick of the Indian bowlers with four wickets, while Mohammed Shami took two and Unadkat, Vinay Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja all chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing a simple target of 184 to win, India were on the back foot early on into their innings as opening batsman Rohit Sharma was dismissed for just 14 runs.

Sharma’s opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, made a good start, but failed to convert it into a big score thanks to Chatara.

Kohli and Ambati Rayudu helped steady the Indian innings with a brilliant 64-run partnership before Rayudu was dismissed by Vitori for 33.

Suresh Raina and Kohli ensured India reached their target with no more problems as the pair put together a 56-run partnership at a run rate of 10.50 runs per over, in which Kohli registered his half-century.

Kohli ended up finishing on 68 off 88 balls, which included five boundaries and one six as India won the match by seven wickets with 87 balls to spare.

Chatara, Vitori and debutant Michael Chinouya each took one wicket.

Taylor admitted to being “frustrated” with the back-to-back losses and vowed to do his country proud by winning at least one game.

“Getting quite frustrating now, leading up to the series the amount of work we put in, that not translating into results, and knowing the ability of the players, is irritating,” he said. “There is still lot to play for in Bulawayo. Generally soft dismissals, guys need to toughen up mentally. Chinouya has been knocking on the door for ages.”

Kohli was pleased to have sealed the series and praised his entire team for their all-round performance.

“Was important to win to seal the series,” he said. “Early breakthroughs with the ball, and not that difficult a total to chase down. We are not setting any goals, did not think we had to seal the series today. Zimbabwe still have some inexperience in the line-up and it is about gaining experience. I am one of the few experienced guys in this side and I am trying to take responsibility. Their bowlers have bowled in good areas, they know how to bowl on these wickets, they are using the two new balls well. Our fast bowlers can learn from them.”

Mishra edged out Kohli for the Man of the Match award, and he said: “Always speak to my bowling coaches and they tell me to go for wickets, and not worry about runs. Whenever you take wickets, it puts pressure. Have worked hard on the googly, with Joe Dawes, and lots of talking on it as well. There are a lot of upcoming players in the side and there is healthy competition.”