2nd ODI: India thrash Zimbabwe by 8 wickets, take unassailable 2-0 lead in three-match series

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the hero of the Indian innings with his economical three-wicket haul.

New Delhi: MS Dhoni and his men continued their good run in the ongoing bilateral series against Zimbabwe where they crushed the hosts by 8 wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

After suffering a nine-wicket loss in the first ODI, a decent performance was expected by Zimbabwe, but that wasn't the case as they posted just 126 runs batting first.

Put in to bat first by Dhoni, Zimbabwe lost first three wickets for just 39 runs. When they were wobbling, Vusi Sibanda (53) and Sikandar Raza (16) resurrected the innings with a 67-run stand for fourth wicket.

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal brought the visitors back in the game by dismissing Raza and Elton Chigumbura (0) off consecutive balls in the 26th over. It was the start of another collapse and the hosts put 126 runs on board after losing nine wickets. Unfortunately, Sean Williams was injured and he couldn't bat or bowl in the match.

In reply, Indian openers Lokesh Rahul and Karun Nair provided a decent opening stand of 58 runs. Once Rahul was dismissed by Chibhabha for 33, Nair and Ambati Rayudu stitched another crucial stand for the second wicket.

With two runs needed to win, Nair was trapped in front of the wicket by Raza.

New batsman Manish Pandey drove the first delivery he faced through covers for the winning runs.

India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, with the final ODI scheduled to be played on June 15.