The Indian cricket team travelled to Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series that began on Thursday, August 18.

India registered a 3-0 series win against the Zimbabwe cricket team, with a convincing 13-run victory in a high-octane series finale at Harare.

The hosts, on the other hand, struggled to replicate their 2-1 ODI series win against Bangladesh.

Here are some interesting stats, head-to-head and talking points of Zimbabwe vs India ODI rivalry.

Zimbabwe vs India head-to-head in ODI cricket

Team

Matches

Won

No Result

Draw/Tie

Zimbabwe

66

10

0

2

India

66

54

0

2

Zimbabwe and India first faced off in an ODI game in 1983, the eighth match of the Prudential World Cup in Leicester. Thanks to a half-century from Sandeep Patil (50 in 54 balls) and Madan Lal’s 3/27, the Indian cricket team won the game by five wickets.

The teams have played a total of 66 ODIs, with India having the advantage of 54 victories. Zimbabwe have registered 10 wins.

Zimbabwe and India drew twice in ODIs, first in 1993 (Indore) and then in 1997 (Paarl).

Zimbabwe vs India head-to-head in bilateral ODI series

Team

Total Series

Series Won

Zimbabwe

9

1

India

9

8

Team India have an advantage when it comes to head-to-head in a bilateral ODI series against Zimbabwe.

The sides have played nine bilateral series, with India emerging victorious seven times. Zimbabwe have won just one, a two-match series in 1996-97.

While they won the opening match by eight wickets, the second game was cancelled.

Since July 2013, India have won 15 consecutive ODI matches against Zimbabwe with their most recent encounter ending in a five-wicket victory at Harare in 2022.

Zimbabwe vs India ODI records: Batting

Highest total: Dinesh Mongia’s unbeaten knock of 159 in 147 balls powered India to 333/6 in 50 overs in 2002 at Guwahati.

Lowest total: Given a target of 227 in a 2005 Triangular series, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 65 with Indian pacer Irfan Pathan registering his career-best figures of 5/27.

Most runs: Sachin Tendulkar is India’s leading run-getter against Zimbabwe in ODIs, with 1,377 runs in 34 matches at an average of 49.17.

Highest individual score: Kapil Dev hit the highest individual score in a Zimbabwe vs India ODI fixture. During their 1983 Cricket World Cup 60-over game, Kapil slammed a blitzkrieg unbeaten 175 off 138 balls. Interestingly, 100 runs from the knock came from just fours and sixes. 

Zimbabwe vs India ODI records: Bowling

Most wickets: Ajit Agarkar leads the wicket-taker charts in Zimbabwe vs India ODIs, with 45 wickets in 26 matches against Zimbabwe.

Best bowling: India’s Amit Mishra (6/48) scripted the best bowling figures in a Zimbabwe vs India ODI match in Bulawayo in 2013.

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / JEKESAI NJIKIZANA