Harare, Jul 27 (IANS): Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik fashioned India's 58-run win over Zimbabwe in the second game of the five-match ODI series at the Harare Sports Club here on Friday. India now lead the series 2-0.
Dhawan (116) and Karthik (69) bailed India out of trouble through their 167-run stand, taking the total to 294 for eight in 50 overs. Zimbabwe showed promise initially in their run chase but a mid-innings collapse meant they ended at 236 for nine.
Opener Vusi Sibanda's 55 and an unbeaten 52 by Prosper Utseya were not enough to get the hosts over the line. Medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking four for 41.
Zimbabwe looked like pulling off an upset when Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza (34) took their side to 109 for one in 20 overs. But a collapse followed Sibanda's departure, reducing them to 133 for six.
Utseya tried his best with Elton Chigumbura (46) but it proved to be too much of a task.
Earlier, the Zimbabwe pace attack troubled the famed Indian top-order and the conditions helped their cause.
Rohit Sharma, playing his 100th ODI, chased a wide ball off Brian Vitori and edged it to second slip.
Captain Virat Kohli (14), the last game's centurion, perished while trying to hit one through mid-wicket off Kyle Jarvis, spooning it to Malcolm Waller at mid-on.
A review was called for a clean catch but after inconclusive replays, the in-form batsman was given out.
A distraught Kohli was seen exchanging words with on-field umpires Owen Chirombe and Bruce Oxenford even after he was adjudged out.
The visitors found themselves in further trouble with the fall of Ambati Rayudu (5) and Suresh Raina (4), making it 65 for four in 16.4 overs.
That was when Dhawan and Karthik came to India's rescue. Their 167-run stand off 154 balls changed the complexion of the game.
Dhawan continued with his rich run of form, scoring his third hundred in 17 ODIs. He charmed the crowd with his exquisite strokeplay, collecting 11 fours and two sixes. The luck was on his side too as he was dropped thrice during his 127 ball knock.
Karthik looked solid and the fifty plus score was his second since making a comeback.