Zimbabwe vs India 2013: Fourth ODI - Heroes of the Day

As expected, the Men in Blue completely dominated yet another one-sided encounter against hosts Zimbabwe in the fourth game of the series. They are now 4-0 up in the series, with one match to go.

Zimbabwe were never really in the game at all, despite a battling knock from their former skipper. The batting tamely surrendered to the new-look Indian attack, caving in for 144. The visitors rounded off the win in the 31st over, taking the match by nine wickets.

Here are the heroes of the day:

Elton Chigumbura (50 n.o. off 66 balls – 4 fours; 0/12 in 2 overs)

The former skipper has been the most consistent player for his side in this series. He finally got a half-century after identical knocks of 46 in two previous games.

Coming in with Zimbabwe reeling at 47/5, Chigumbura proceeded to add 80 runs for the sixth wicket with Malcolm Waller. The partnership consumed 131 balls, owing to the stranglehold exercised by the Indian bowlers on the pair. After Waller fell with the total on 127, Chigumbura got no support from the tail as he bravely held up one end. He also proved a bit expensive with the ball, going for 12 runs in his two overs.

A terrific knock, but too slow by ODI standards.

Rohit Sharma (1 catch; 64 n.o. off 90 balls – 5 fours, 1 six)

Rohit Sharma (right)

The Mumbai batsman finally produced an innings of note for the first time in this series. Opening with debutant Cheteshwar Pujara, Sharma added 23 for the first wicket before completing the easy victory in the company of the promoted Suresh Raina, sharing a match-winning 122-run stand in 128 balls.

Prior to his knock, Sharma held on to a smart catch offered by Prosper Utseya off the bowling of Shami Ahmed. Good game, young man!

Suresh Raina (65 n.o. off 71 balls – 6 fours)

The UP based left-handed played another sensible knock, having been promoted up the order by skipper Virat Kohli. He seems to have regained his sense of timing and was quite patient during his innings. It was heartening to see him back among the runs, even if it was against a rather mediocre bowling attack. Excellent stuff!

Mohit Sharma (2/26 in 10 overs)

Mohit Sharma – File Photo

The Haryana seamer made a memorable debut in international cricket as he delivered a brilliant spell of pace bowling first up. He took out Sikandar Raza with a full delivery outside off, inducing a thick edge to wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, to bag his maiden international wicket.

Mohit Sharma followed it up with another brilliant delivery on length around the off-stump, dismissing the entrenched Malcolm Waller and breaking the 80-run stand that would turn out to be the only bit of resistance offered by the hosts. His economical spell fetched him the Man of the Match award in his debut game.

A fine debut, and an excellent pace prospect, Mohit Sharma is definitely one for the future!

Amit Mishra (3/25 in 8.4 overs)

The Indian leg-spinner has had a remarkable tour against the minnows so far. With the seamers picking up wickets at regular intervals, and spin twin Ravindra Jadeja also joining the party, Mishra was left to clean up the tail, and he did so with his usual aplomb.

First, he removed Tendai Chatara courtesy a simple catch by Jadeja. Next, he castled Brian Vitori with a ripping leg-break, before ending the innings by having last man Michael Chinouya caught by a frustrated Kohli at first slip. A brilliant performance, as usual!