India beat Zimbabwe by 6 Wickets in 1st ODI

July 24 2013: Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli played a captain’s innings and Ambati Rayudu made a half-century on his debut as India cruised to a six-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international on Wednesday.

Kohli hit 115 off 108 balls in the dominant performance of the game after replacing regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was rested for the limited-overs series.

Kohli and Rayudu (63) combined for a 159-run partnership for the third wicket to convincingly take the game away from Zimbabwe, which had been held to 228-7 after India won the toss and bowled.

India legspinner Amit Mishra took 3-43 on a turning pitch at Harare Sports Club to lead India’s bowling effort.

Pakistan-born batsman Sikandar Raza top-scored for Zimbabwe with 82 for his first ODI half-century.