We were outplayed by India in all departments: Zimbabwe skipper

India beat Zimbabwe by 54 runs in the 1^st T20I

Harare, July 17 (IANS) Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura on Friday said a dominant India outclassed the hosts with both bat and ball to coast a 54-run victory in the first Twenty20 International at the Harare Sports Club here on Friday

Zimbabwe were restricted to 124/7 in their run chase after India scored 178/5. Zimbabwe earlier lost the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series 0-3.

Murali Vijay (34 off 19 balls), Rahane (33 off 32 balls), Robin Uthappa (39 off 35 balls) helped India post the commendable total before slow bowling pair of Axar Patel (3/17) and Harbhajan Singh (2/29) mashed Zimbabwe.

"We were outclassed all around today. It's very disappointing. I thought we gave them 10 to 15 runs too many. And also in the second innings, the wicket got dryer and became two-paced. Became difficult to try and play some strokes," Chigumbura said at the post-match presentation ceremony here.

"They bowled well as well, changing the pace. Mainly on the batting side was disappointing. It doesn't help when you lose wickets, credit to their bowlers. Important to try and play our best cricket on Sunday and hopefully we get a better result," the captain said.