It was a walkover for India as they wrapped up the fourth ODI match against Zimbabwe in style on Thursday with more than 100 balls to spare.
After having won the previous three contests, India fielded a few fresh faces in the fourth ODI, and this time Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina made it look so easy by steering the team home with a half century each.
Put in to bat first after losing the toss, Zimbabwe gave away their wickets without much resistance and they never recovered from the early shock despite brave show by the tailenders.
The batting collapse started when Mohit Sharma broke the opening partnership by sending off Sikandar Raza for seven. Then the wickets of Sean Williams, Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor fell successively with Williams and Taylor sent off for a duck. Opener Vusimuzi Sibanda also fell not long after for 24.
At one point of time, it looked like Zimbabwe would settle for a score below hundred but Elton Chigumbura (50) and Malcolm Waller (35) put up a stiff resistance and added some important runs on the board. However, four batsmen after them fell for just 10 runs with Amit Mishra taking three wickets.
The total of 144 was not enough for a team that have a bunch of talented young players.
Chasing a low total, India's first wicket fell at 23 after Tendai Chatara's ball crushed into the stumps behind Cheteshwar Pujara. But that was it. Rohit Sharma (64) and Suresh Raina (65) stayed till the end, wrapping up the game in just 30.5 overs.
India and Zimbabwe will now meet in the fifth and last ODI at Queens Sports Club on Saturday.
