Opener Dravid props up India against Zimbabwe

Wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya boosted the score at the end with 32 off 22 balls as India plundered 55 runs in the last five overs. India’s late charge left Zimbabwe facing a target of more than five runs an over in a match crucial to both teams, who lost their opening games to Sri Lanka.

Young seamer Travis Friend captured four wickets as the Indians lost batsmen at regular intervals after being sent to bat in the day-night international. Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who hit his 26th one-day century on Friday against Sri Lanka, failed to take advantage of a life before he had scored and perished for eight.

In the day’s second over, Tendulkar pulled Bryan Strang to mid-wicket where Guy Whittall spilled the low catch. Four overs later, Tendulkar was caught behind by wicket-keeper Andy Flower, attempting a wild heave off Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak.

Left-hander Vinod Kambli, promoted to number three, made an attractive 18 before hooking a short ball from Friend to Dirk Viljoen at square-leg. Kambli, struggling to keep his place in the Indian team after a poor run this season, clarified with the umpires it was not a shoulder-high delivery before walking off.

Ganguly, who came in at number four, also fell for 18, caught down the leg-side by Andy Flower as he attempted to flick Friend. The promising Yuvraj Singh hit 34 in a fourth-wicket stand of 54 with Dravid, including two massive sixes off left-arm spinner Grant Flower. The threatening partnership ended when Yuvraj had his leg bail clipped by Friend, which had to be confirmed through television replays after New Zealand umpire Steve Dunne signalled a wide.

Robin Singh (22) was unlucky to be caught short of his ground at the non-striker’s end as Dravid’s straight drive was deflected on the wicket by bowler Viljoen.

INDIA

Rahul Dravid c G Flower b Viljoen 85
Sachin Tendulkar c A Flower b Streak 8
Vinod Kambli c Viljoen b Friend 18
Saurav Ganguly c A Flower b Friend 18
Yuvraj Singh b Friend 34
Robin Singh run out 22
Vijay Dahiya c Marillier b Friend 32
Sunil Joshi b Streak 19
Ajit Agarkar not out 12
Zaheer Khan not out 4
Extras: (lb5, w5, nb3) 13
Total (for eight wkts in 50 overs) 265
Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-51, 3-93, 4-147, 5-189, 6-206, 7-234, 8-252
Bowling: Streak 10-0-63-2, Strang 10-1-32-0, Friend 10-0-55-4, Mbangwa 9-0-40-0, Viljoen 7-0-40-1, G. Flower 2-0-19-0, Campbell 2-0-11-0