1st ODI: Centurion Rayudu guides India to 255/6 against Zimbabwe

Ambati Rayudu scored an unbeaten 133-ball 124 to guide India to a respectable total of 255/6 against Zimbabwe after early wobbles in the first ODI of the three-match series at Harare Sports Club on Friday. Rayudu was ably supported by all-rounder Stuart Binny, who scored his career best 77, as the duo added a 160-run stand for the sixth wicket. Rayudu hit a six and a dozen boundaries in his innings whereas Binny smashed a couple of sixes and six fours in his quick 76-ball knock before losing his wicket in the penultimate over.

Depleted India under new skipper Ajinkya Rahane were in a spot of bother at the half-way stage of their innings as they were reduced to 87/5 in 24.2 overs, before the Rayudu-Binny resurrected their innings.

For Zimbabwe medium pacer Chamu Chibhabha was pick of the bowlers as he dismissed Monoj Tiwary and Kedar Jadhav to finish with a figure of 2-25 in 10 overs, which included two maiden overs.

Sent in to bat first, Indian innings started on a wrong note as they lost opener Murali Vijay (1) early in the fourth over as the visitors were reduced to 9/1 in 3.2 overs. After struggling to come to groove for a while, reliable Test opener poked an away going delivery off Brian Vitori to give an easy catch to Vusi Sibanda in the second slip.

Skipper Rahane tried to resurrect their innings with Rayudu as they took India past 50 runs in 15.2 overs. The duo stitched 51-run second wicket partnership to take India to 60/1 in 17.1 overs. But the stand did not last long as Rahane edged Donald Tiripano delivery to Hamilton Masakadza in first slip in the next ball, leaving India tottering at 60/2 in 17.2 overs. Rahane hit five boundaries in his 48-ball 34 runs sedate innings.

Rayudu continued to hold fort on one end but India lost wickets at regular intervals from the other end and lost half their side with score reading 87/5 in 24.2 overs. Manoj Tiwary (2) was first to go after Rahane as he was trapped leg before by Chamu Chibhabha as India were reduced to 74/3 in 20.4 overs.

India's struggle continued as they lost Robin Uthappa (0) through run out, while trying to steal a quick single, to Sikandar Raza's direct hit at the bowler's end in the 21.3 overs. Then Chibhabha struck again in the 25th over to get rid of Kedar Jadhav (5).

Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura won the toss and decided to field against India.

"It looks like a good wicket to chase down. The first hour will be crucial for us. We will have to be at your best in all departments. Hopefully, we can have a good day today," Chigumbura said after winning the toss.

India's stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane too expressed his desire to bowl first.

"Even we were looking to bowl. There may be some moisture in the wicket but I think it will stay the same for 100 overs," Rahane said.

India: Murali Vijay, Robin Uthappa(w), Ajinkya Rahane(c), Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza, Vusi Sibanda, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura(c), Richmond Mutumbami(w), Graeme Cremer, Donald Tiripano, Brian Vitori, Tinashe Panyangara