Kedar Jadhav made Zimbabwe pay for a woeful dropped catch as his unbeaten century powered India to an 83-run victory in the third one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday and a series whitewash.
Jadhav was on 41 when Zimbabwe captian Elton Chigumbura put down the simplest of chances off the bowling of Graeme Cremer and the India batsman went on to score his maiden ton in just his fourth ODI as India posted 276-5 after being put in to bat.
The feat gave Indian cricket something to cheer about on the day that two Indian Premier League franchises were suspended for two years and two officials were banned for life for their part in a 2013 fixing scandal.
Photo: AFP
While Jadhav finished on 105 not out from 87 deliveries, Manish Pandey also provided a good news story as he made 71 on his long-awaited international debut — the fourth-highest score by an Indian debutant in ODIs.
The pair allowed India to recover from the precarious position of 82-4 as they shared in a 144-run stand for the fifth wicket.
“It was good that Manish was going nicely, so it gave me some time to adjust to the wicket. Later on when I got set, I played some shots,” Jadhav said.
Photo: AP
“I told myself that whenever I get going, I will stay to the last and make sure that my team wins. I’m happy to have done that today,” he added.
Pandey’s 86-ball knock came to an end when he holed out to long-on, but Jadhav helped India add 50 runs in the last 19 deliveries of the innings and in the process reached his century.
As he had in the second one-dayer, Chamu Chibhabha provided the sole bright spot in Zimbabwe’s reply, scoring 82 as the homes side were bowled out for 193 in 42.4 overs.
The next best runscorer for Zimbabwe was Regis Chakabva with 27, as Stuart Binny swung the ball viciously on his way to figures of 3-55 in 10 overs.
Mohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Axar Patel provided excellent back-up and each took two wickets, leaving Zimbabwe to reflect on a ninth straight defeat in completed ODIs.
“We are looking to improve, so please bear with us,” Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore said.
“We are trying really hard to get it right and we will need a bit more time,” he said.
The two teams are to play a two-match Twenty20 series starting at the same ground tomorrow.
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