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India cruise to ODI series sweep

Zimbabwe again struggle in Harare as they slumped to a humiliating series defeat

Unbeaten half centuries from Lokesh Rahul and debutant Faiz Fazal earned India a clean sweep of their three-match one-day international series in Zimbabwe after a crushing 10-wicket victory on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat at the Harare Sports Club, but their disappointing form continued as they were bundled out for 123 in 42.2 overs.

India made light work of their reply and blasted their way to their victory target from 21.5 overs as Rahul (63 from 70 balls) and Fazal (55 from 61 balls) pummelled the bowling.

Zimbabwe sacked experienced coach Dav Whatmore on the eve of the series and have since been trounced by an under-strength Indian side, who have won their three matches by eight, nine, and now 10 wickets.

Zimbabwe's top score with the bat in the series was 168 in the first game, and only four players managed double figures on Wednesday as Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah returned career-best figures of four for 22 in his 10 overs.

Vusi Sibanda was top-scorer for the hosts for the second match running with 38, and for the second time in as many games middle-order blaster Elton Chigumbura got a first-ball duck.

Wicketkeeper MS Dhoni wasn't required with the bat at any stage in the series, but India's skipper was able to enhance his status as one of the greatest to play the 50-over game.

Dhoni safely took the catch of Chigumbura to bring up 350 dismissals in ODI cricket, sitting behind Kumar Sangakkara (482), Adam Gilchrist (472) and Mark Boucher (424) on the all-time list.

The 34-year-old gloveman also moved into equal-second in terms of ODI victories as captain, joining Australian legend Allan Border on 107 wins. Another Aussie is the clear leader in this category, with the great Ricky Ponting sitting comfortably on 165 victories as skipper.

Zimbabwe and India will now play a three-match Twenty20 series in Harare starting on Saturday.