Zimbabwe beat India by 6 wickets

Rohit Sharma struck a century as India scored 285 for five against Zimbabwe in the opening ODI of the tri-series here Friday.

Sharma made 114 off 199 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes. He got able support from Ravindra Jadeja who scored a run-a-ball 61, smashing five fours.

The two added 132 runs for the fifth wicket after India were reduced to 128 for four in 30 overs.

For Zimbabwe, fast bowler Chris Mpofu picked up two wickets.

This will be the first international clash between the two countries in five years. And the teams are significantly different. Rested are eight top Indian stars, allowing the introduction of several promising young players.

Zimbabwe, busily making long-term preparations for a hoped for return to Test cricket, are hell bent on a youth programme themselves.

Sri Lanka make up the national threesome in the series and they will meet India here on Sunday. They too are without four established stalwarts, including Sanath Jayasuriya who might soon be standing down altogether.

Firebrand Andy Blignaut gets a return to the side after seven years absence since the days of Test cricket here. He will bat in place of Tatenda Taibu, who is out with a strained ankle.

This will also be Elton Chigumbura’a first test as new Zimbabwe captain.

Raina’s projected target is 270 runs in 50 overs although that aim could be hard to reach as the wicket is slowish but judged to be true.

The teams:

Zimbabwe — Elton Chigumbura (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Greg Lamb, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Charles Coventry, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Chris Mpofu.

India — Suresh Raina (capt), Dinesh Karthik, M. S.Vijay, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Vimay Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Amit Mishra.

Umpires — Brian Jerling (RSA), Russell Tiffin (ZIM)

Match referee — Jeffrey Crowe (NZL).