Raina steals India’s win over Zimbabwe

Defending champion India ran away with a victory over Zimbabwe at Auckland in the World Cup today riding on an anchoring century of Suresh Raina and a record partnership.

For Brendan Taylor, his magnificent century in the last match for Zimbabwe came to no avail and he will have to be content with being able to have choked India to a close finish.

After India won the toss and chose to field, fast bowlers paid off dismissing three top batsmen early into play before Taylor and Sean Williams made, 50, made a 93-run stand.

After Taylor departed at 138 from 153 balls, Zimbabwe were folded at 287.

Fast bowlers Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma were at peak for India claiming three wickets apiece. The other wicket was hauled by Ravichandran Ashwin.

On chase, India lost both openers early to persistently disciplined bowling from Tinashe Panyangara. After Virat Kohli, 38, was lost, India were reeling at 92/4.

Suresh Raina, 110 not out, and MS Dhoni, 85 not out, made a record 196-run fifth wicket stand for India and anchored the run chase and eventually ran away with the game.

The moment of despair for Zimbabwe probably was when Hamilton Masakadza dropped Raina on 50 – reminding everyone the impact of the phrase "catches win matches."

Other than Panyangara, Sikandar Raza took one wicket.

Suresh Raina was made player of the match which resulted in India passing on to the quarterfinals remaining unbeaten and ace of Pool B. They are likely to face Bangladesh there.

India Team

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (C & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav

Zimbabwe Team

Chamu Chibhabha, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor (C & wk), Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Solomon Mire, Regis Chakabva, Tinashe Panyangara, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tendai Chatara