Zimbabwe vs. India 2013: 1st ODI - The Quick Flicks

Indian captain Virat Kohli scored a century in the first match of the five match ODI series against hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on July 24 2013. (Getty Images)

Finally, the much-talked about cricket series got underway at the Harare Sports Club, with hosts Zimbabwe taking on a “depleted” Indian side. The Men in Blue eked out a wonderful six-wicket victory over their opponents, thus taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match tourney.

In hindsight, this could actually be the best thing to have happened to this young Indian side – after playing for the better part of two months, they get a tour which is the easiest of the lot, and a good way to unwind.

Here are the Quick Flicks for the game:

The curious case of Cheteshwar Pujara

This is yet another tour where the Saurashtra run-machine has once again been excluded from the playing eleven. It is hard to understand these selection policies at all. If you consider Pujara to be suitable only for Test cricket, why bring him on the tour as a passenger?

Sure, Zimbabwe is a reasonably good place for a honeymoon, but that’s not any reason for him to be missing out on the 50-over game. He could come in for Suresh Raina, who has been woefully short of runs in a format that is tailor-made for him. Oh well, at least Mrs. Pujara gets to do some sightseeing with her husband.

Raza rises to the occasion

Trust a player with origins in the Indian subcontinent to rise to the occasion against the current World Cup winners. Sikandar Raza Butt, who returned to the game in the 2010-11 season after a less-than-stellar attempt in 2007, played a gem of an innings at the top of the order.

For someone who had dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, playing cricket seems to come naturally to the youngster from Sialkot. He could well become a key cog in Zimbabwe Cricket‘s scheme of things in the near future!

Wayward Vinay Kumar

The Bangalore seamer showed that he will go for runs even against much weaker sides. Bowling during the mandatory batting Powerplay in the 36th over, he was carted all over the park by the impressive Sikandar Raza and later by all-rounder Elton Chigumbura.

Out of the four sixes struck in the Zimbabwe innings, Vinay conceded three. Bowling fullish-length deliveries isn’t your forte, Mr. Kumar – you need to mix it up with slower balls and yorkers.

Mishra turns it on, Kohli tightens the screws

Back in the blue jersey after a rather long period in the hinterlands of domestic cricket, leg-spinner Amit Mishra spun the match back into India’s favour with a miserly spell while picking up three wickets. Zimbabwe’s players might never have played the googly before – they were rightly bamboozled. Brilliant comeback for the Sunrisers bowler – he’s come a long way in leaps and bounds.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli bludgeoned his way to his 15th ODI century as India reached the target with plenty of overs to spare. Captaincy seems to bring out his best while batting, especially during chases. Terrific knock!

Raina flops again

Raina may have picked up a wicket with his off-breaks, but with India needing just 13 runs for a win, he decided to go after Prosper Utseya on just his second delivery and ended up skying a catch to Raza.

Wake up and smell the fresh air Suresh, your ungainly heaves won’t work instantaneously. Good fielder, decent bowler, pathetic batsman – that’s how to best describe the UP lad on current form.

Double debutant delight

Both Jaydev Unadkat and Ambati Rayudu made their ODI debuts in this game. While the left-arm seamer impressed one and all with his immaculate line and length, the MI middle-order batsman played a steady knock to steer his side to the target with 31 balls to spare. These two look good for the future and should be handled extremely carefully if they are to play in the Indian side for a long time to come.

Zimbabwe will need to go back to basics while India should look to accelerate from here, and try to go for a clean sweep. Hopefully the next game will be a thriller!