India completed an easy victory over Zimbabwe in the first One Day International in Harare on Sunday, chasing down 169 to win by nine wickets.
Zimbabwe's batsmen never looked confident against India's young bowling line-up. Wickets fell frequently as Jasprit Bumrah starred for India, picking up 4/28 in his 9.5 overs. Axar Patel was also economical, conceding only 26 runs and picking up a wicket in his ten overs. Zimbabwe's final score of 168 all out was built around a laborious 65-ball 41 by Elton Chigumbura.
For the first time in an ODI since 1976, India opened its batting with two debutants, KL Rahul and Karun Nair. However, Nair was dismissed in the fifth over. Rahul and Ambati Rayudu, who came in at Nair's wicket, preferred to keep the run rate slow, getting to 50 in only the 18th over. However, as the partnership progressed, runs came at an easy pace and India had no trouble, reaching Zimbabwe's underwhelming target with more than seven overs to go.
Rahul became India's highest scorer on ODI debut as he hit a six off the last ball, finishing on 100 not out. Rayudu, at the other end, finished on an unbeaten 62.
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