Image Credits (Courtesy: AP)

The Indian opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill put up an impressive 193 partnership for the opening wicket.

Dhawan and Gill barely broke sweat as they chased down the meager target of 190 runs in just 30.5 overs as India took a 1-0 lead in the series

The Dhawan-Gill duo has carried on their good form from the West Indies tour, where they consistently put up great opening partnerships.

India beat West Indies in both T20I and ODIs in the series that ended earlier this month.

“I am enjoying batting with the youngster [Shubman Gill] and I feel like a youngster too. I enjoyed the consistency from West Indies,” Shikhar Dhawan said after the team won the first ODI.

Shikhar Dhawan used all his experience at one end as Shubman Gill was doing well on the other side.

The 36 year old dasher from Delhi scored 81 off 113 balls while Shubman Gill scored 82 not out of 72 balls. The opening pair put up 192 for the opening wicket.

Dhawan started the innings patiently as he looked to set himself up for a big and the lack of scoreboard pressure allowed him to play freely.

The duo was able to thwart the Zimbabwe bowler’s attack and cruised to a convincing 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the 3-match ODI series

“I knew that once I was set, I would go after the bowlers. I wanted to rotate the strike as well and then was to accelerate.

My rhythm with Gill has settled nicely. The way he bats and times the ball is lovely to watch. He has shown the consistency in converting fifties into bigger fifties,” said Dhawan.

Shikhar Dhawan impressed everyone not only with the bat but also in the fielding department as he latched on to two impressive catches at slip position.

His first catch was of Mohammed Siraj’s bowling and Sean Williams was sent back packing. Dhawan then played a role in dismissing Sikandar Raza from the bowling of Prasidh Krishna.

Two key players of Zimbabwe’s batting lineup were dismissed early and the innings ended in just 40.3 overs as the team got all out with a below-par score of 189

“I enjoy [catching at slip] and it has become easy with experience,” Dhawan said

Shikhar Dhawan also heaped on the Indian Bowling line up and especially Deepak Chahar who took 3 opening wickets to derail the Zimbabwe innings.

Deepak Chahar, who returned to the team after a gap due to injury, removed the top three Zimbabwe batters and the visitors never looked like making a comeback.

“Our bowling unit did well and it was nice to see Deepak Chahar come back from injury and pick up three wickets. I am sure he would be feeling confident as well,” Dhawan said.

The player of the match Deepak Chahar spoke about the game and pitch after the match. Here are some excerpts:

“The landing area was a little hard and my nails were not going in and were slippy. When you are playing an international game after six and a half months, you are always nervous.

“Before coming here I played four-five practice games. But playing for the country, you wanted to do well and the mind and the body were not working together.”

“That ball I wanted to bowl a bouncer and the spikes didn’t go through and I slipped,” he added

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