India secured the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe on Sunday after outperforming their African rivals in the second one-day international by 62 runs at Harare, thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar's impressive spell and an initial obdurate opening partnership.
Put in to bat first, India steadily built the innings at a slow pace as stand-in-captain Ajinkya Rahane (63) and Murali Vijay shared a strong 112-run partnership for the opening wicket before the dismissal of the former.
While Player of the Match Vijay scored 72, Ambati Rayadu added 41 runs on a slow Harare surface. Manoj Tiwary (22) and Stuart Binny (25) were the other notable batsmen to give slender contribution as others struggled to keep the momentum going before setting a 272-run target for the hosts within their allotted 50 overs.
Neville Madziva was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he returned the figures of 4-49.
In reply, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 209 in the 49th over. Opener Chamu Chibhabha scored 72 to remain as the top scorer for his side.
Bhuvneshwar spearheaded the bowling line up as he claimed four wickets to give the tourists an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
