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The Indian cricket team’s five-wicket victory against Zimbabwe meant they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Despite a scare from the Zimbabwean bowlers, Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 43 guided India to chase the 162-run target in 25.4 overs. 

India captain KL Rahul won the toss and opted to field first. Shardul Thakur replacing Deepak Chahar was the only change to India’s playing XI for the second ODI. 

Zimbabwe captain Regis Chakabva, meanwhile, brought in Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tanaka Chivanga to replace Tadiwanashe Marumani and Richard Ngarava. 

As in the first ODI, Zimbabwe’s openers struggled to find runs against the Indian pacers and ended the first 10 overs with a score of 26/1. 

Mohammed Sriraj grabbed the only wicket in the powerplay overs, as his delivery took an edge off opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano’s bat and went straight to wicket-keeper Sanju Samson. 

The 12th over saw Shardul Thakur dismiss Innocent Kaia (16) and Zimbabwean captain Regis Chakabva (2) while conceding just two runs. 

Prasidh Krishna, who went wicketless in his first three overs, opened his account with Wessly Madhevere (2)’s wicket in the 13th over. 

Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza would be the next person to walk back to the pavilion. The all-rounder hit a mistimed shot toward Ishan Kishan, who took a  couple of steps back to complete the catch. 

While they lost just two wickets between overs 22 and 36, Zimbabwe finished their innings at 161 all out as they lost their last three batters in the 37th, 38th and 39th over. 

Shardul Thakur finished as the top bowler for India with a 3/38 from his seven overs. 

India’s run chase of 162 began on the wrong foot, as captain KL Rahul departed for just one run in the second over. 

The Zimbabwean bowlers continued to test the Indian batters, and Shikhar Dhawan became the next Indian cricketer to lose his wicket. 

The Indian cricket team’s powerplay phase ended at 75/2. 

Luke Jongwe grabbed a couple of important Indian wickets, with Ishan Kishan (6) in the 12th and Shubman Gill (33) in the 14th overs. 

A 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda got India close to sealing a victory, needing 10 runs in 27 overs. 

Samson, unbeaten on 43, hit the winning runs as he dispatched an Innocent Kaia delivery over long-on for a fairytale finish. 

The victory meant India are now on a 14-match winning streak against Zimbabwe and took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The teams will reconvene for the final ODI on Monday, August 22nd.