India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I: India register big win

India wasted no time to defeat Zimbabwe by a huge 54  runs in the first Twenty20 International in Harare.

Chasing 179 to win, Zimbabwe openers Hamilton Masakadza (28) and Chamu Chibhabha (23) kept the hosts in the reckoning sharing 55 runs for the first wicket.

But once both departed none of the other batsmen stayed for a long time as Zimbabwe managed only 124 for seven in 20 overs.

For India Axar Patel scalped three wickets while Harbhajan Singh claimed two.

Earlier, Indian batsmen put on a fine show as India scored 178 in 20 overs.

Openers  Ajinkya Rahane (33) and Murali Vijay (34) set the ball rolling as the duo added 64 runs for the opening wicket. 

Robin Uthappa remained unbeaten on 39 from 35 balls while Manish Pandey chipped in with 19.

For Zimbabwe, Mpofu took three wickets.

ZIMBABWE INNINGS

Some fine shots from Madziva cheered by the crowd. Came a little too late as Zimbabwe finish at 124-7 in 20 overs.

Cremer is bowled by Sharma as Zimbabwe lose their seventh wicket. Zim 98-7 in 17.4 overs.

Graeme Cremer b Sharma 9 (14b 0x4 0x6)

Another beauty of a delivery from Patel as he picks his third wicket. Zim 90-6 in 16 overs

Sikandar Raza b Patel 10 (17b 0x4 0x6)

Terrific fielding from Mohit Sharma. His direct hit meant Ervine returns to the pavilion as Zimbabwe stare at a big loss. Zim 82-5 in 13.4 overs.

Craig Ervine run out 2 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Wickets tumbling for Zimbabwe as the man who could play a big role Coventry falls. A flick goes wrong to offer an easy catch to Rahane at short midwicket. Zim 68-4 in 10.4 overs.

Charles Coventry c Rahane b Harbhajan Singh 10 (10b 0x4 1x6)

Brilliant delivery from Patel as it skids through quickly to remove the stumps. Zim 66-3 in 10 overs.

Elton Chigumbura b Patel 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Zimbabwe lose another quick one. Masakadza offers a simple catch to Jadhav off Patel. Hosts under pressure as the required run rate is over 10. Ind 64-2 in 9.2 overs.

Hamilton Masakadza c Jadhav b Patel 28 (24b 1x4 2x6)

India get the first wicket as Pandey takes a fine running catch in the deep. Zimbabwe need another 124 runs from 71 balls. Zim 55-1 in 8.1 overs.

Chamu Chibhabha c Pandey b Harbhajan Singh 23 (27b 2x4 1x6) 

Zimbabwe hsa not been scoring at a faster pace. If they continue the same it's going to hurt them. Indian bowlers maintain tight line. Zim 38-0 in 6.1 overs.

Masakadza and Chibhabha open for Zimbabwe while Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls for India. Zim 2-0 in 1 over

INDIA INNINGS

Binny attempts a big one and gives a simple catch to Cremer as Mpofu picks up his third wicket. Ind 166-5 in 19.1 overs.

Stuart Binny c Cremer b Mpofu 11 (6b 0x4 1x6)

Mpofu takes his second wicket as Jadhav is gone for just nine. Ind 150-4 in 17.3 overs

Kedar Jadhav c Masakadza b Mpofu 9 (7b 1x4 0x6)

India have another three overs left. Uthappa in command batting 31. Ind 148-3 in 17 overs.

Change of pace does the trick as Raza takes a fine catch to send Pandey back to the pavilion. Ind 127-3 in 15.3 overs.

Manish Pandey c Sikandar Raza b Mpofu 19 (19b 1x4 1x6)

Partnership between Uthappa and Pandey reaches 41. India has got the momentum back again as they high a big total. Ind 123-2 in 15 overs.

Uthappa and Pandey slowly stitching together a new partnership. Ind 98-2 in 12 overs.

Superb over from Cremer as he bowls a maiden wicket over. Ind 82-2 in 10 overs.

Zimbabwe put pressure on India as Rahane succumbs. With no big runs coming from the last over, the skipper's attempt to step it up went wrong offering a simple catch to Masakadza. Ind 82-2 in 9.2 overs.

Ajinkay Rahane c Masakadza b Cremer 33 (32b 2x4 0x6) 

Vijay is run out as he attempts a quick single, Raza's direct hit catches him short of the crease. Ind 64-1 in 7 overs.

Murali Vijay run out 34 (19b 5x4 1x6) 

Vijay in total control as he races to 32 from 16 balls. Rahane on 20. Ind 58-0 in 6 overs.

Rahane and Vijay gets a few boundaries as they are crusing along nicely. Ind 30-0 in 4 overs.

Cautious start from Indian openers with both Rahane and Vijay batting on four. Ind 10-2 in 2 overs.

Rahane and Vijay open for India while Zimbabwe start with spin as Utseya bowls. Ind 3-0 in 1 over.

India win the toss and have decided to bat first. With a strong batting line-up, the visitors should eye a big total.

PLAYING XI:

India Team: Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma

Zimbabwe Team: Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Charles Coventry, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva, Chris Mpofu, Taurai Muzarabani

PREVIEW

 India will look to continue its good work in the ODI as they take on the first Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

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