Ton-up Rahul makes India history in Zimbabwe romp

HARARE — Opener KL Rahul became the first Indian to hit a century on One-Day International debut as he secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club Saturday. 
With just two runs required for victory, Rahul launched Hamilton Masakadza for six to finish unbeaten on 100, as India chased down a target of 169 with more than seven overs to spare. 
Such a dramatic finish was in stark contrast to an otherwise lethargic match on a sluggish wicket that followed the expected trajectory, with India's second-string side proving too good for a full-strength Zimbabwean outfit despite Zimbabwe interim coach Makhaya Ntini's pre-series comments about sweeping the tourists under the carpet. 
While Rahul has already scored two centuries in five Tests, this is his first tour with the limited overs side and he made an immediate mark.
"It's a great thing to get an ODI hundred, but to get it in my first match is something very special to me," he said. 
"I always knew I had the game and the skill set to be successful in all three formats, it was just about getting the opportunities and getting the confidence in myself to know that I can perform at any level." 
Playing just his second ODI, seamer Jasprit Bumrah recorded figures of 4 for 28 as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 168 after India had won the toss and asked the host to bat first. 
Opening bowlers Barinder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni both used the early-morning swing on offer to make inroads at the top of the Zimbabwean innings, and that damage was compounded when Bumrah dismissed opener Chamu Chibhabha and then Vusi Sibanda in his opening spell. 
With the host reduced to 69 for four in the 20th over, spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal were able to strangle Zimbabwe through the middle overs, picking up a wicket apiece and conceding just 53 runs in their combined 20 overs. 
Top scorer Elton Chigumbura attempted to lift Zimbabwe to a respectable score with a late flourish, but was eventually bowled by Bumrah for 41 in the final over of the innings. 
"I think even 80 more runs, had we applied ourselves and formed a few partnerships, would at least have forced them to try and play a bit differently and allowed us to create a few more chances," said Zimbabwe's batting coach Lance Klusener. 
"Let's give the boys a little slack and hopefully we can grow from here. We want to draw a line in the sand from the way Zimbabwe have played in the past, but we just need to find our balance and work out how we want to play." 
India lost debutant Karun Nair early on, but the rest of its chase was a breeze as Rahul shared an unbroken 162-run stand with Ambati Rayudu, who ended unbeaten on 62. 
The second game in the three-match series takes place at the same venue Monday. — AFP Scoreboard 
Zimbabwe 
P. Moor lbw b Sran 03 
C. Chibhabha b Bumrah 13 
H. Masakadza c Dhoni b Kulkarni 14 
C. Ervine c sub (Fazal) b Patel 21 
V. Sibanda c Dhoni b Bumrah 05 
Sikandar Raza b Sran 23 
E. Chigumbura b Bumrah 41 
R. Mutumbami c Rahul b Chahal 15 
G. Cremer b Kulkarni 08 
T. Chatara c Rayudu b Bumrah 04 
T. Muzarabani not out 01 
Extras (3lb, 14w, 3nb) 20 
Total (49.5 overs) 168 
Falls: 1-8 (Moor), 2-30 (Masakadza), 3-47 (Chibhabha), 4-69 (Sibanda), 5-77 (Ervine), 6-115 (Sikandar Raza), 7-140 (Mutumbami), 8-156 (Cremer), 9-167 (Chigumbura), 10-168 (Chatara). 
Bowling: Kulkarni 10-1-42-2, Sran 10-0-42-2, Bumrah 9.5-2-28-4, Patel 10-1-26-1, Chahal 10-1-27-1.
 
India 
KL Rahul not out 100 
K. Nair c Sikandar Raza b Chatara 07 
A. Rayudu not out 62 
Extras (1lb, 3w) 04 
Total (1 wkt, 42.3 overs) 173 
Fall: 1-11 (Nair). 
Did not bat: Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Yuzvendra Chahal. 
Bowling: Chatara 7-1-20-1, Muzarabani 6-0-18-0, Chibhabha 8-1-14-0, Cremer 10-0-47-0, Chigumbura 4-0-34-0, Sikandar Raza 5-0-20-0, Masakadza 2.3-0-19-0.