In a fine bowling display, Team India beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets in the 2nd ODI at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson‘s 56-run stand after Shardul Thakur‘s three-for enabled India overcome the hosts in the 14th straight one-day international to grab a commanding 2-0 lead.

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Earlier in the day, India won the toss and opt to bowl. The visitors started with a tight opening spell from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Over the course of the first eight over, which saw only 20 runs scored, the openers were frequently  tested. Takudzwanashe Kaitando ultimately gained an outside edge off Mohammed Siraj that Sanju Samson skillfully held by diving to his right. As soon as Deepak Chahar was changed, Shardul Thakur, who had a clean opening spell, struck twice in the next over. Then Zimbabwe lost their fourth wicket when Wesley Madhevere was caught by Prasidh in the following over.

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Before Sikandar Raza fell cutting Kuldeep Yadav, he and Sean Williams put together a 41-run stand to halt the slump. Even though wickets were falling at the other end, Ryan Burl’s 39 from the lower order assisted in pushing the score above 150. Zimbabwe then lost their final three wickets in the space of 13 balls to collapse for a 161. 

India did start the chase as well they would have liked, after captain KL Rahul was out LBW to Victor Nyauchi in the second over. The half-centurions from the first game, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill then led the chase. The Delhi southpaw played more aggressively, smashing four boundaries in his 21-ball 33 before being out on Tanaka Chivanga’s short pitch. Then, Gill joined Ishan Kishan in a 36-run partnership before both got out successively.

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A quick-fire 56-run stand between Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson gave India momentum from 97/4. With victory in sight, Sikandar Raza sent Hooda back to pavilion with a yorker, while Samson completed the chase with a six to stay unbeaten on 43.