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[Libran]

Zimbabwe A v India A, 1st match, Harare, 1st day

Uthappa leads India A's opening day assault

Four internationals helped themselves to half centuries as India A ended the opening day in a commanding position at 331 for 5 at the Harare Sports Club. Mohammad Kaif had no hesitation in batting first on a good wicket and the top order had a good outing, led by Robin Uthappa's characteristic 88 off just 85 balls.

Uthappa and his opening partner Cheteshwar Pujara got off to a brisk start, adding 56 before Pujara fell for 9, edging to the slips. Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel coming in at No.3, scored 67 and was involved in two half century stands. He added 77 and 68 with Uthappa and Kaif respectively, strengthening India's position. After his departure, Kaif (63) and Rohit Sharma (65) scored patient half centuries but they too failed to convert their scores to three figures. S Badrinath, the Tamil Nadu middle-order batsman, was undefeated on 24 at stumps.

Chandrakanth Pandit, the coach, said he was satisfied with the number of fruitful partnerships. He also praised Uthappa for his aggressive knock.

"They all batted extremely well and dominated the fast bowlers," Pandit told the Hindustan Times. "The only thing I thought could have gone better was that if one or all of them had gone on to get hundreds."

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/303551.html

[Shukla]

why is there no ruckus over whether we should tour Zim given the political situation there?

[fineleg]

What about Parthiv Patel as a batsman in our Test squad. Yes? No?

As a keeper maybe his skills are poor, but he has been able to bat well under most conditions in TEST match cricket. We can consider taking him as a batsman if he continues to perform well with the bat.

(Test matches only to start with, and if he can develop the skill of scoring reasonably well, maybe in the distant distant future, ODIs also)

[achutank]

What about Parthiv Patel as a batsman in our Test squad. Yes? No?

As a keeper maybe his skills are poor, but he has been able to bat well under most conditions in TEST match cricket. We can consider taking him as a batsman if he continues to perform well with the bat.

(Test matches only to start with, and if he can develop the skill of scoring reasonably well, maybe in the distant distant future, ODIs also)

abhe finey kuch bhi

[sudzz]

What about Parthiv Patel as a batsman in our Test squad. Yes? No?

As a keeper maybe his skills are poor, but he has been able to bat well under most conditions in TEST match cricket. We can consider taking him as a batsman if he continues to perform well with the bat.

(Test matches only to start with, and if he can develop the skill of scoring reasonably well, maybe in the distant distant future, ODIs also)

abhe finey kuch bhi

Achu-nusta asach kaahi tari..

[Prafulla]

What about Parthiv Patel as a batsman in our Test squad. Yes? No?

As a keeper maybe his skills are poor, but he has been able to bat well under most conditions in TEST match cricket. We can consider taking him as a batsman if he continues to perform well with the bat.

(Test matches only to start with, and if he can develop the skill of scoring reasonably well, maybe in the distant distant future, ODIs also)

Very well said that Parthiv Patel did prove his batting in the opportunities he got. In fact, he saved a game for us in England. His keeping has improved a lot and he should be a good contender for selection.

[manee]

His batting shows talent and the statistics don't do him justice. It seems he lacks confidence to play his shots when he gets in and if this develops with time, he could be a handy future batsman for India. That being said, he will have to do a lot to edge out the other prospective future batsman in the India A side such as Kaif, Badrinath, Pujara and Rohit Sharma, not to mention Raina (who I presume is injured?).

[fineleg]

I think he has lot of potential to be a handy batsman in Tests (perhaps in ODIs over time).

Wicket-keeping skills improved or not? - I'll reserve judgement on that.

[Vick]

What about Parthiv Patel as a batsman in our Test squad. Yes? No?

As a keeper maybe his skills are poor, but he has been able to bat well under most conditions in TEST match cricket. We can consider taking him as a batsman if he continues to perform well with the bat.

(Test matches only to start with, and if he can develop the skill of scoring reasonably well, maybe in the distant distant future, ODIs also)

What about him scoring consistently in Domestic first? I dont remember him getting any big scores yet. Would you be statishfied if he maintains and avg in 30's in tests?

[Vick]

Zimbabwe Select 129 for 4 trail India A 489 by 350 runs

India A continued to dominate on the second day of their tour match against Zimbabwe Select at Harare Sports Club. At the close of play Zimbabwe Select had reached 129 for 4 in reply to the tourists' 489.

Resuming on 331 for 5, India struggled at first before making hay when Prosper Utseya turned to his spinners, with Subramaniam Badrinath (62) cutting lose in an otherwise turgid morning session which produced 70 runs.

Ed Rainsford struck three times after lunch, all to catches by Tatenda Taibu, the first, to remove Badrinath showing that he had lost little of his agility during his lengthy absence. India's last pair added to Zimbabwe's frustration as VRV Singh twice deposited Prosper Utseya over the media centre before Chris Mpofu finally ended the innings.

Zimbabwe started confidently, Hamilton Masakadza looking comfortable off both front and back foot, and by tea they had reached 31 for 0.

Tinotenda Mawoyo edged to Mohammed Kaif the slips soon after the resumption, and then Vusi Sibanda followed in identical fashion in the next over. Masakadza carried on with his attacking innings, this best shot being a big six off Rajesh Pawar, but it was Pawar who struck back to have him caught by Parthiv Patel at gully.

Taibu remained unbeaten at the close, but given the fragility and inexperience of those still to come in - even though this is virtually a full national side in all but name - it is hard to see where the runs will come from to enable Zimbabwe to avoid the follow-on tomorrow.

No news about Irfan Pathan.

[fineleg]

What about Parthiv Patel as a batsman in our Test squad. Yes? No?

As a keeper maybe his skills are poor, but he has been able to bat well under most conditions in TEST match cricket. We can consider taking him as a batsman if he continues to perform well with the bat.

(Test matches only to start with, and if he can develop the skill of scoring reasonably well, maybe in the distant distant future, ODIs also)

What about him scoring consistently in Domestic first? I dont remember him getting any big scores yet. Would you be statishfied if he maintains and avg in 30's in tests?

No, 30 Avg in Tests if he is playing as batsman is not acceptable.
But he has shown an ability to bat well against quality teams before - I'm saying we can try him for a series (Test series) after England.

[Libran]

India A continued to dominate on the second day of their tour match against Zimbabwe Select at Harare Sports Club. At the close of play Zimbabwe Select had reached 129 for 4 in reply to the tourists' 489.

Resuming on 331 for 5, India struggled at first before making hay when Prosper Utseya turned to his spinners, with Subramaniam Badrinath (62) cutting lose in an otherwise turgid morning session which produced 70 runs.

Ed Rainsford struck three times after lunch, all to catches by Tatenda Taibu, the first, to remove Badrinath showing that he had lost little of his agility during his lengthy absence. India's last pair added to Zimbabwe's frustration as VRV Singh twice deposited Prosper Utseya over the media centre before Chris Mpofu finally ended the innings.

Zimbabwe started confidently, Hamilton Masakadza looking comfortable off both front and back foot, and by tea they had reached 31 for 0.

Tinotenda Mawoyo edged to Mohammad Kaif in the slips soon after the resumption, and then Vusi Sibanda followed in identical fashion in the next over. Masakadza carried on with his attacking innings, this best shot being a big six off Rajesh Pawar, but it was Pawar who struck back to have him caught by Parthiv Patel at gully. (So he has given up keeping ,is it...competing with KKD ??)

Taibu remained unbeaten at the close, but given the fragility and inexperience of those still to come in - even though this is virtually a full national side in all but name - it is hard to see where the runs will come from to enable Zimbabwe to avoid the follow-on tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Chandrakant Pandit, the India A coach, spoke about the his teams performance. "I'm not really disappointed [after India A were dismissed for 489 after an overnight score of 331 for 5], because the Zimbabwe fast bowlers were using the morning conditions very well and Badrinath and Piyush Chawla and later Pawar, did really well to fight back after Irfan (Pathan) was lbw in the third over of the day," he told the Hindustan Times.

"We were thinking that 500 would be good and we got pretty close to that."

He said that Yo Mahesh, the medium-pacer, was "outstanding" while Pawar was "unlucky not to get more wickets".

"Initially, the (plan with the) new ball didn't go the way we expected, especially with Irfan but things settled. Tomorrow will be interesting."

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/current/story/303631.html

[justforkix]

Letz play PP, KKD, MSD, RU and RD - 5 keepers - one for each hour of the day

[sudzz]

India A continued to dominate on the second day of their tour match against Zimbabwe Select at Harare Sports Club. At the close of play Zimbabwe Select had reached 129 for 4 in reply to the tourists' 489.

Resuming on 331 for 5, India struggled at first before making hay when Prosper Utseya turned to his spinners, with Subramaniam Badrinath (62) cutting lose in an otherwise turgid morning session which produced 70 runs.

Ed Rainsford struck three times after lunch, all to catches by Tatenda Taibu, the first, to remove Badrinath showing that he had lost little of his agility during his lengthy absence. India's last pair added to Zimbabwe's frustration as VRV Singh twice deposited Prosper Utseya over the media centre before Chris Mpofu finally ended the innings.

Zimbabwe started confidently, Hamilton Masakadza looking comfortable off both front and back foot, and by tea they had reached 31 for 0.

Tinotenda Mawoyo edged to Mohammad Kaif in the slips soon after the resumption, and then Vusi Sibanda followed in identical fashion in the next over. Masakadza carried on with his attacking innings, this best shot being a big six off Rajesh Pawar, but it was Pawar who struck back to have him caught by Parthiv Patel at gully. (So he has given up keeping ,is it...competing with KKD ??)

Taibu remained unbeaten at the close, but given the fragility and inexperience of those still to come in - even though this is virtually a full national side in all but name - it is hard to see where the runs will come from to enable Zimbabwe to avoid the follow-on tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Chandrakant Pandit, the India A coach, spoke about the his teams performance. "I'm not really disappointed [after India A were dismissed for 489 after an overnight score of 331 for 5], because the Zimbabwe fast bowlers were using the morning conditions very well and Badrinath and Piyush Chawla and later Pawar, did really well to fight back after Irfan (Pathan) was lbw in the third over of the day," he told the Hindustan Times.

"We were thinking that 500 would be good and we got pretty close to that."

He said that Yo Mahesh, the medium-pacer, was "outstanding" while Pawar was "unlucky not to get more wickets".

"Initially, the (plan with the) new ball didn't go the way we expected, especially with Irfan but things settled. Tomorrow will be interesting."

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/current/story/303631.html

So after all the gas expended, Taibu is back in Zimb..so much for all his bravado

[kban1]

So after all the gas expended, Taibu is back in Zimb..so much for all his bravado

He was wooed back by zimbabwe -- several negotiations were made and promises given by the Zimbabwe Board before he agreed.

Maybe its just me, but I believe we are too harsh on people, especially since put in similar situations in our own lives, we would have been more likely to have put up with similar or more crap professionally than walk away at the prime of our professional careers.

[OldPal]

Letz play PP, KKD, MSD, RU and RD - 5 keepers - one for each hour of the day

PP,KKd,RU,RD are batsmen. MSD is the keeper . how did you find others are keeper ? Cricinfo ? 

[manee]

According to cricinfo, Irfan Pathan overstepped eleven times! I hope he was having a bad day and this is not yet another problem for him.

Zimbabwe Select v India A, Harare, 3rd day

Zimbabwe Select 338 all out (Taibu 123, Utseya 53, Chawla 4-40) trail India A 489 by 151 runs

Bulletin: http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/303775.html

Scorecard: http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/india/engine/match/298024.html

[fineleg]

IP's rhythm seems to be off?

[poondu]

Piyush Chawla 22.2 2 40 4 1.79    

[manee]

He really seems to be one for the future. If he could just restrain his use of variations and perhaps develop a flipper, he could really be a handful for international batsman. He works well in ODIs because of his wonderful line and length but that won't get him far in test matches. Learning to spin his leg break will be a good place to start, but that being said, his vicious googly makes up for that.

Anyone got the scorecard for day 4?

[fineleg]

Learning to spin his leg break will be a good place to start,

That sure would be a good start for a leggie ...hope PC gets to work on that.

[poondu]

Chawla stars for India ‘A’

Harare: India ‘A’ posted a comfortable nine-wicket win in a four-day game against Zimbabwe Select XI at the Harare Sports Club here on Friday.

Batting first after winning the toss, India scored a mammoth 489 as six of the top eight batsmen made half-centuries. In reply, the home team was bowled out for 338 as Tatenda Taibu resisted with a determined century. He finally lost his wicket to Piyush Chawla, who took four wickets. Irfan Pathan, trying to impress after losing his place in the national side, struggled and went for 80 runs in 20 overs in the first innings.

Following on, the home side struggled as Chawla took four wickets again. India’s batsmen strolled to the victory target of 66 in less than 10 overs.

Brief scores: India ‘A’ 489 (R. Uthappa 88, P. Patel 67, M. Kaif 63, R. Sharma 66, S. Badrinath 62, P. Chawla 58, B. Mpofu three for 90, C. Rainsford three for 82) and 69 for one bt Zimbabwe Select XI 338 (T. Taibu 123, P. Utseya 53, P. Chawla four for 40) and 216 (V. Sibanda 69, T. Taibu 40, P. Chawla four for 30).

[poondu]

IP brought into the attack so late  and opened the batting

       
  Bowling O M R W Econ 
  VRV Singh 19.4 5 24 2 1.22 (14nb)
  RV Pawar 15 2 46 2 3.06 
  Piyush Chawla 21.1 8 30 4 1.41 
  VY Mahesh 9 4 22 0 2.44 (1w)
  IK Pathan 12 3 43 1 3.58 (4nb)
  RP Sharma 5 0 12 1 2.40 


         
 India A 2nd innings (target: 66 runs) R M B 4s 6s SR
 AR Uthappa c Masakadza b Brent 7 29 15 0 0 46.66
 IK Pathan not out 39 49 30 5 1 130.00
 RP Sharma not out 16 9 15 3 0 106.66
     Extras (w 5, nb 2) 7     
       
     Total (1 wicket; 9.5 overs) 69 (7.01 runs per over)


Did not bat CA Pujara, PA Patel, M Kaif, S Badrinath, Piyush Chawla, VY Mahesh, RV Pawar, VRV Singh 


Fall of wickets1-26 (Uthappa, 5.3 ov)

[poondu]

Pujara and Patel make hay in the sun

Cricinfo staff

July 30, 2007

India A 291 for 2 (Pujara 100, Patel 76*) v Zimbabwe Select

Once again the India A batsman dominated play on the first day of their second match against Zimbabwe Select at Queen's Sports Club as they reached 291 for 2 at the close.

Mohammed Kaif won the toss for the second time and batted on a good, even-paced pitch, a decision vindicated when Cheteshwar Pujara and Robin Uthappa reached lunch without alarm.

Ed Rainsford, who had a wretched day with constant problems with no-balling, broke the 110-run stand when he had Uthappa caught by Vusi Sibanda at first slip but Pujara and Parthiv Patel took over in a second-wicket partnership of 110. Patel should have gone when he had scored 23 but Sibanda spilt the slip catch off Prosper Utseya.

Utseya eventually got a wicket when he had Pujara stumped by Tatenda Taibu for exactly 100 but, much as they had done at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe's bowling lacked any penetration and it is hard to see where the wickets will come from tomorrow.

[feverpitch]

http://telegraphindia.com/1070731/asp/sports/story_8128762.asp

Tiwary check-up in England
A STAFF REPORTER

Calcutta: Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary, who underwent a surgery under Dr Andrew Wallace, will visit England once again for a post-surgery check-up. “Tiwary will be in England for a post-surgery check-up by Dr Wallace on Thursday,” CAB preside Prasun Mukherjee told The Telegraph on Monday.

Mukherjee had a discussion with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar over telephone and finalised Tiwary’s visit. “Board will bear all the expenses like the previous time,” Mukherjee said.

Tiwary, who was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London and was operated upon on May 23, will leave the city on Wednesday and will be back by Friday.

The Bengal batsman injured himself during a training session in Dhaka ahead of the ODI series against Bangladesh, last May. He was forced to return and consulted Dr Anant Joshi in Mumbai. However, he was later referred to Dr Wallace.

Meanwhile, according to a source, former Bengal batsman Snehasish Ganguly is set to be one of the assistant secretaries while the other hasn’t been decided yet. Aloke Nandy, who still has one year left in his term, is unlikely to continue and may be replaced by V. Kumar. “It’s not confirmed but we are still thinking whether to retain Nandy or bring someone new,” the source revealed.

[keep-it-cool]

Why is Sehwag not a part of India A??

[fineleg]

Why is Sehwag not a part of India A??

Unfit 

[gouravk]

i dont think so .. he was heard playing some masala games in the US .. just that the selectors didnt pick him ...

[manee]

Why is Sehwag not a part of India A??

Probably because they have seen enough of him and want to see some new players.

[keep-it-cool]

Why is Sehwag not a part of India A??

Probably because they have seen enough of him and want to see some new players.

that is the problem ... for me, the India A team should be the India second team .. not a forum to see u-19 cricketers

[keep-it-cool]

India leave Zimbabwe staring into the abyss

Cricinfo staff

July 31, 2007

Zimbabwe Select 67 for 5 trail India A 524 for 8 dec (Patel 126, Badrinath 103*, Pujara 100, Uthappa 67, Rainsford 4-100) by 457 runs
Scorecard

Another game but the same old story as Zimbabwe Select ended the second day at Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club facing the follow-on as they staggered to 67 for 5 in reply to India A's 524 for 8.

Resuming on 291 for 2, India lost an early wicket when Mohammad Kaif edged Gary Brent to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu without adding to his overnight 26. Taibu's second catch of the morning, this time off Ed Rainsford, accounted for Rohit Sharma, but Zimbabwe's successes did not stem the flow of runs.

Parthiv Patel completed his hundred, opening up to good effect before he dragged Prosper Utseya on to his stumps attempting a sweep for 126, and Brent trapped Irfan Pathan leg-before for 0. As the declaration loomed the tail hit out, Subramaniam Badrinath struck two sixes and ten fours on his way to 103 and Kaif declared once he had reached his hundred.

The pitch remained good and Hamilton Masakadza and Tinotenda Mawoyo, preferred to the fit again Terry Duffin despite his failures at Harare, put on 45 for the first wicket before the innings fell apart in the final hour.

Masakadza started the rot, falling to a catch at slip by Robin Uthappa off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for 24. Vusi Sibanda, who promised so much going into the World Cup but who has failed to impress since, lost his leg stump going for an ambitious hit off Ojha for 0 and then Mwoyo fell leg-before to Yo Mahesh for 20. Three wickets had fallen for no runs.

Almost everything depended on Taibu and Matsikenyeri, and briefly they seemed to have stopped the rot. Piyush Chawla, however, weighed in with two late wickets. First he bowled the in-form Taibu for 10 and then removed nightwatchman Rainsford in the same way.

With Zimbabwe likely to follow-on tomorrow, the issue is whether they can put up a better fight and avoid an innings defeat.

[keep-it-cool]

India A 1st innings R M B 4s 6s SR
 CA Pujara c Taibu b Utseya 100 238 235 11 0 42.55
 AR Uthappa c Sibanda b Rainsford 67 159 109 9 0 61.46
 PA Patel b Utseya 126 332 259 12 0 48.64
 M Kaif c Taibu b Brent 26 68 58 2 0 44.82
 RP Sharma c Taibu b Rainsford 14 38 29 1 0 48.27
 S Badrinath not out 103 207 150 10 2 68.66
 IK Pathan lbw b Brent 0 5 5 0 0 0.00
 Piyush Chawla c Mpofu b Rainsford 50 106 78 3 0 64.10
 Pankaj Singh c Sibanda b Rainsford 4 2 2 1 0 200.00
 VY Mahesh not out 8 16 9 1 0 88.88
     Extras (lb 1, w 3, nb 22) 26     
       
     Total (8 wickets dec; 152.5 overs) 524 (3.42 runs per over)

[keep-it-cool]

Uthappa proved a point ...he can play slow as well

IP continues to struggle both with bat and ball ... out for 0 and no wickets for 29 runs off 6 overs

[Vick]

India A 1st innings R M B 4s 6s SR
 CA Pujara c Taibu b Utseya 100 238 235 11 0 42.55
 AR Uthappa c Sibanda b Rainsford 67 159 109 9 0 61.46
 PA Patel b Utseya 126 332 259 12 0 48.64
 M Kaif c Taibu b Brent 26 68 58 2 0 44.82
 RP Sharma c Taibu b Rainsford 14 38 29 1 0 48.27
 S Badrinath not out 103 207 150 10 2 68.66
 IK Pathan lbw b Brent 0 5 5 0 0 0.00
 Piyush Chawla c Mpofu b Rainsford 50 106 78 3 0 64.10
 Pankaj Singh c Sibanda b Rainsford 4 2 2 1 0 200.00
 VY Mahesh not out 8 16 9 1 0 88.88
     Extras (lb 1, w 3, nb 22) 26     
       
     Total (8 wickets dec; 152.5 overs) 524 (3.42 runs per over)

Good to see PC being consistent with bat too here. And really bad tour till now for IP. Here are his figures till now.

 TMK Mawoyo lbw b Mahesh 20 63 45 3 0 44.44
 H Masakadza c Uthappa b Ojha 24 48 39 5 0 61.53
 V Sibanda b Ojha 0 8 6 0 0 0.00
 T Taibu b Piyush Chawla 10 37 29 0 0 34.48
 S Matsikenyeri not out 10 0 39 1 0 25.64
 EC Rainsford b Piyush Chawla 0 2 2 0 0 0.00
 E Chigumbura not out 0 0 0 0 0
  Total (5 wickets; 26 overs) 67 (2.57 runs per over)

  IK Pathan 6 1 29 0 4.83 (1nb)    
  VY Mahesh 8 2 19 1 2.37 
  PP Ojha 10 5 19 2 1.90 (1nb)
  Piyush Chawla 2 1 1 2 0.50


It will be awesome if IP and PC both mature If we are able to play them both in the team we should be able to play 5 bowlers in both forms of game.

[WicketView]

Why doesn't our board play them against someone more meaningful than Zimbabwe? This way we can hardly differentiate between these players. They don't even get to bat two innings, most of the time!

[keep-it-cool]

Chawla ends up with 10 wickets for the match - 4 in the first innings and 6 in the second.

Question - Does this mean anything at all in terms of his ability to play at the top level?

I think it would be better to look at a spinner's record in Ranji Trophy rather than in a match against Zim.

[manee]

That is slightly harsh, Zimbabwe's batting is not terrible. It does mean something about his ability at top level because he got wickets where his bowling partners could not, although he did take them before they had a chance.

[keep-it-cool]

That is slightly harsh, Zimbabwe's batting is not terrible. It does mean something about his ability at top level because he got wickets where his bowling partners could not, although he did take them before they had a chance.

come on ... i dont think these batsmen would have any idea about how to play spin

[keep-it-cool]

Chawla picks up ten as India A thrash Zimbabwe

Cricinfo staff

August 2, 2007

India A 524 for 8 dec (Patel 126, Badrinath 103*, Pujara 100, Uthappa 67, Rainsford 4-100) beat Zimbabwe Select 143 (Chawla 4-12, Ojha 4-45) and 148 (Masakadza 73, Chawla 6-46) lost to by an innings and 233 runs
Scorecard


Piyush Chawla bagged a match haul of 10 for 58 to lead India A to an innings-and-233-run victory against Zimbabwe Select on the third day at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, thus wrapping up the two-match series 2-0.

Resuming at their first-innings score of 67 for 5, the Zimbabweans lost wickets at regular intervals to be shot out for 143. The Indian spinners, Chawla and Pragyan Ojha, shared the spoils taking four wickets each. With India having a massive 381-run lead, Robin Uthappa had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on.

Just as in the first innings, Tino Mawoyo and Hamilton Masakadza, the Zimbabwean openers, got the team off to a steady start putting on 63 for the first wicket. Chawla then struck two quick blows removing Mawoyo and Vusi Sibanda. Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu joined Masakadza and the pair put up a brief resistance, taking the score to 115.

Ojha had Taibu trapped in front, and Masakadza was dismissed in a similar fashion by Irfan Pathan for a well-made 73. With the fall of Masakadza's wicket, Zimbabwe crumbled to 148 all out, with the last six wickets crumbling in 44 balls for addition of a mere five runs. Six of the Zimbabweans failed to open their account in the second innings.

Chawla was the chief destroyer, picking up six wickets to finish with 18 wickets in two games. Pathan, who had finished wicketless in the first innings, did better in the second, picking up 3 for 12 from ten overs.

The Indians now head to Kenya for two three-day matches and an ODI tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka A.

[keep-it-cool]

The Indians now head to Kenya for two three-day matches and an ODI tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka A.

Now this would be a better test for Chawla and Ojha ...wish there were some tests too against the SL-A side.