A month ago, the selectors had decided to send a second-string side for the tour of Zimbabwe. After India's humiliating loss in the ODIs against Bangladesh, the men in blue were under pressure to win the series against Zimbabwe.
Ajinkya Rahane-led team India have whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in the ODI series and they maintained their second position in the latest ICC ODI Rankings. Rahane is happy with the effort that his side has put in during this series. India recovered from a critical position yet again in the third ODI against Zimbabwe. This time it was debutant Manish Pandey and centurion Kedar Jadhav who put together a brilliant partnership to power India to a total of 276 runs.
"The partnership between Manish [Pandey] and Kedar [Jadhav] was crucial for us. I am very happy for the boys. They were hungry and up for the series. Ambati Rayudu got his hundred in the first game, Murali Vijay in the second and Kedar here. The bowlers chipped in as well. We played as a team," Rahane said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Rayudu was awarded the man of the series for his performance in the first two matches of the series. He pulled out of the Zimbabwe tour after he pulled his right quadriceps muscles and the medical team suggested that it would take at least two-three weeks for him to get back in action.
Jadhav was awarded the man of the match for his maiden ODI century against Zimbabwe in the third ODI at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday. He said Pandey's presence on the other end of the wicket helped him settle down and play a flamboyant innings.
"It is a great feeling and I just want to thank my family. Ajinkya and the support staff have been backing me. The wicket was seaming a bit and I took my time to settle down. As Manish [Pandey] was batting superbly, it gave me time to adjust and play my shots," Jadhav told at the presentation ceremony.
