5 Best performances by Zimbabweans against India

The Zimbabweans have put up some enthralling performances against India in the past. Zimbabwe’s batting has been their strength traditionally. Their batsmen have been the ones who have always put up a fight and proved competitive spirit of the African nation. The team’s performances may have gone on a downward spiral in recent times, but there have been many occasion when Zimbabweans have treated their cricket fans with outstanding individual performances. 1. Elton Chigumbura 104* Zimbabwe batsman Elton Chigumbura in action. (Photo by JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images) Elton Chigumbura, one of the most experienced ODI players in the current Zimbabwe team, had his moment of glory when he almost single-handedly took his team to a famous victory over their Asian rivals. India had set a competitive target of 256 runs for the hosts to chase with the help of Ambati Rayudu’s century. Zimbabwe had a shaky start to their chasing effort after they lost their openers Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha cheaply. However, then came Chigumbura and the hopes of winning the match became alive for the chasing side. The right-hander showed great resistance. Wickets kept falling around him at regular intervals. But, the counter-attacking innings from Chigumbura kept the Zimbabwe in the game. But, unfortunately, he could not take his team past the victory line as the Indian managed to snatch the game narrowly by 4 runs. 2. Tatenda Taibu- 71 Zimbabwe batsman Tatenda Taibu. (Photo by DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images) Tatenda Taibu, the pocket size dynamo, was a gritty individual. The wicket-keeper batsman has, on many occasions, stood in the middle like a rock and saved his team from a downfall. One such example was of his 97 balls 71 run knock at the Harare Sports Club in 2005. Batting first, Zimbabwe were already two down by the end of the 3rd over. Taibu then came into the rescue of the side. He stitched important partnerships with Brendan Taylor and Charles Coventry to stabilise the innings. His 46 run stand with Taylor rescued the hosts from a tricky position of 4/2 at the start. Later, he was joined in by Coventry and both put up a match –defining 116 runs stand for the 4th wicket, taking Zimbabwe to a comfortable position in the match before getting clean bowled by JP Yadav in the 37th over. 3. Craig Ervine 67* Craig Ervine. (Photo by DESMOND KWANDE/AFP/Getty Images) Craig Ervine was one of the heroes of the Zimbabwe’s spectacular 6 wicket victory over India in 2010 Triangular series. The Indians, powered by Rohit Sharma’s (114) century, had set a challenging 285 runs target for the hosts to chase. Zimbabwe, in reply, started off confidently with a good 88 runs opening stand. Brendan Taylor fought from the fro with his 81 runs contribution. Despite all these sturdy performances, the Indians, pulled back with timely strikes with the ball. The fall of Taylor in the 35th over was a big blow to the chase. The host still required 109 runs off the last 15 overs. But, this was the time Craig Ervine stepped on the accelerator and began counter-attacking, eventually leading his side to victory with his heroic 60 ball 63 runs knock. 4. Guy Whittall – 58 GUY WHITTALL. (Photo by David Munden/Popperfoto/Getty Images) All-rounder Guy Whittall’s 58 in the 3rd Match of the Coca-Cola Cup in 2001 is one of the most memorable knocks played a Zimbabwean against India. The hosts got off to a terrible start after being put into bat by India. Craig Wishart and Dion Ebrahim played gritty knocks at the top and provided some stability to the innings. However, the duo departed soon, giving the edge to India again. The run rate had almost dried before Whithall decided to go after the bowlers. The right-hander found success with his approach and Zimbabwe posted a respectable total of 234/6 after 50 overs. Craig Wishart – 102 at Harare Sports Club in 1998: Craig Wishart. (Photo by -/AFP/Getty Images) Very few openers from Zimbabwe have registered centuries against India and Craig Wishart is one of them. Zimbabwe, after been put into bat, lost opener Alistar Campbell in the first over itself. However, other opener Wishart had some great plans for the day. He batted sturdily and faced the potent Indian bowling attack brilliantly. Wickets kept falling around him regularly but he was unfazed and went to bat till the 48th over of the match, scoring a wonderful 102 runs off 124 deliveries including with 4 fours and 2 sixes. His knock, in fact, set up a the platform for a famous win. The hosts managed to put up a 260 runs target and defended it successfully later to win the game by a comfortable 37 run margin.

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5 Best performances by Zimbabweans against India

Craig Wishart – 102 at Harare Sports Club in 1998:

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