India cruises to victory against Zimbabwe in First Test

Nagpur, February 25: India beat Zimbabwe by an inning and 101 runs in first test being held at Nagpur. Before the handful of spectators could settle in, the Zimbabwe batsmen started their journey back to the pavilion. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was unlucky so far in the Test as his deliveries missed to kiss the willow consistently, scalped four wickets to lead India’s innings and 101-run victory here at the VCA Stadium on Monday.

‘Turbanator’ Harbhajan, stuck right from his first over in the morning. His third delivery of the day saw the ball take an inside edge of night-watchman Raymond Price’s bat and give Dravid an easy catch at forward short-leg.

When Harbhajan was on a song, opener Trevor Gripper, who showed good temperament on Sunday and looked certain to carry the bat as wickets tumbled at the other end, seemed to have lost his grip Gripper held the fort for 211 deliveries before he gifted a simple catch to substitute fielder Virendra Sehwag off Harbhajan. His 60-run knock included six boundaries.

Anil Kumble, who bowled accurately, sent Grant Flower back with a quicker one as the ball hit straight on Flower’s pad.

Tatenda Taibu failed to open his account and Brighton Watambwa followed soon after as if on cue.

Heath Streak and Travis Friend had some gritty knocks against India earlier but the track had nothing to offer the batsmen on the final day. Streak presented Ganguly an easy catch giving Kumble his 19th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Harbhajan bowled 10.4 overs and conceded just eight runs for his four wickets, while Kumble’s 11 overs cost 16 runs for two wickets.