Chahal leads India to bowl Zimbabwe out for 126

Inspired by some disciplined bowling led by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (3/25), India skittled Zimbabwe out for a meagre 126 in the second of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series here on Monday.

Unlike the first ODI, the hosts were off to a patient start but lost track once Mahendra Singh Dhoni introduced the spinners -- Chahal and left-armer Axar Patel -- to be bowled out in just 34.3 overs at the Harare Sports Club.

Middle-order batsman Vusi Sibanda (53) waged a lone battle as Zimbabwe were comfortably placed at 106/3 by the halfway mark.

But when it looked like Sibanda had weathered the top-order wobble to steer them towards a competitive total, Chahal struck twice in successive deliveries to initiate the collapse which saw seven wickets falling for just 20 runs.

Sibanda, who hosted Chahal for a brilliant six over long on in the leggie's very first over, put on 67 runs for the fourth-wicket with Sikandar Raza (16), providing some resistance to the Indians.

Opener Chamu Chibhaba (21) was the second highest scorer for the home side as all the other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Sean Williams did not bat because of a finger injury he picked up after the toss. And he went for scans earlier.

India's young bowling unit was once again at its lethal best with the medium pace trio of Barinder Sran (2/17), Dhawal Kulkarni (2/31) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/27) complimenting Chahal and Patel (1/22) well.

India are already leading 1-0 in the ODI series. The third match is to be played on Wednesday.

--IANS

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