As India and Zimbabwe face in each other in a low-key one-day series, we go back in history and look at how the teams and players have fared against each other over the years. Here’s a compilation of some records in one-day matches played between India and Zimbabwe.
Overall: Starting 1983, India and Zimbabwe have faced each other in 51 matches. Of these, 39 have been won by India and Zimbabwe have been surprise victors in 10 matches. Incredibly, two games between these unmatched sides have ended in ties, which indicates that Zimbabwe have given India a tough time over the years.
Highest totals: India’s highest total is 333 for 6 in an ODI played at Guwahati in 2002. Dinesh Mongia was the star for India in the match with 159 not out, opening the innings while Yuvraj Singh made 75. In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 232, with Harbhajan Singh grabbing 4 for 33. Zimbabwe’s highest total is 289 for 4, made at Bulawayo in 2010. Zimbabwe registered the score chasing India’s 285 for 5 built around Rohit Sharma’s 114. Brendan Taylor was the hero for Zimbabwe with 81 while Craig Ervine made an unbeaten 67.
Lowest totals: Zimbabwe were bowled out for 65 at Harare in 2005. The hosts were chasing a mediocre 227 to win the match, but Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar combined to pick up nine wickets between themselves to force a Zimbabwean collapse. India hit their nadir against Zimbabwe when they were cleaned up for 168 in an ODI at Bulawayo in 1997. India batted first and were restricted to that score courtesy Heath Streak’s five-wicket haul. Zimbabwe went on to win the clash comprehensively, by eight wickets, with Grant Flower registering an unbeaten half-century.
Most runs: No surprises here. Sachin Tendulkar has made the most number of runs in Indo-Zim clashes. In 34 matches he has scored 1377 runs averaging 49 at a strike rate of 91, with five hundreds and as many fifties. For Zimbabwe, the great Andy Flower featured in 36 matches and amassed 1298 runs averaging over 40, with one hundreds and 11 fifties. During these games, Flower maintained an impressive strike rate of 75.
Highest scores: Kapil Dev’s magnificent 175 not out at Tunbridge Wells during the 1983 World Cup is the highest score in Indo-Zim ODIs. India had collapsed to 140 for 8 before Kapil’s magnificence pulled them out of trouble. India ended up with 266 for 8 and went on to win by 35 runs as Zimbabwe were all out for 235. Andy Flower’s 145 is the highest by a Zimbabwean. He made this in a Champions Trophy game at Colombo in 2002. Zimbabwe were chasing 289, but in spite of Flower’s heroics lost by 14 runs.
Most wickets: Ajit Agarkar has picked up the most wickets in Indo-Zim ODIs. In 26 matches, he grabbed 45 wickets averaging 24 at an economy rate of 4.5. Agarkar had three four-wicket hauls to his name, with a best of 4/18. Heath Streak claimed most wickets for Zimbabwe. In 35 matches, he got 39 wickets averaging 38 with one five wicket haul.
Best bowling figures: Irfan Pathan picked up 5 for 27 at Harare in 2005, the same match in which Zimbabwe were rolled over for 65. For Zimbabwe, Streak’s 5/32 at Bulawayo in 1997 is the best bowling analysis.
--By A Cricket Analyst
