Kohli’s unbeaten half-century hands India series win

Tourists beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in third ODI.

CAPE TOWN: An unbeaten half-century from captain Virat Kohli spurred India to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club yesterday and earned the world champions an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series.

Kohli never looked troubled as he compiled 68 from 88 balls and led his team past their victory target of 184 with 87 balls to spare.

Batting at number three, he was involved in successive 50-run partnerships with Ambati Rayudu (33) and Suresh Raina (28*) that ended Zimbabwe’s hopes of defending the modest 183 they had posted in their innings.

“With our early breakthroughs with the ball and consistent bowling throughout the innings, we did not let them get away with anything,” said Kohli.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor was left frustrated.

“Our batting is getting quite frustrating now, leading up to the series, with the amount of work we put in, we are not seeing the results,” he said. “It is starting to be a little bit irritating. Guys need to have a look in the mirror and toughen up a bit.”

The fourth ODI will be played on Thursday, with the final match of the series on Saturday.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2013.

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