India vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI Highlights: Chahar, Dhawan-Gill power IND to clinical 10-wicket win over ZIM

Another one for Chahar! Pitched-up delivery and Marumani feathers it to Samson, who grabs it with ease. Second blow for Zimbabwe within minutes.

ZIM 26-2

OUT! Edged and gone! Short delivery from Chahar and Kaia is in no control there. He edges it to Samson behind the sticks.

Kaia went for the pull and picked a thick top-edge. Samson juggled but managed to grab it in the second attempt. First wicket for Chahal after returning from his injury lay-off. Kaia departs for just 4.

ZIM 26-1

Siraj bowls it at the pads of Marumani, who tucks it away through mid-wicket for a double. 3 runs off Siraj's over. While Siraj is getting some movement and pace off the surface, Chahar still looks a bit rusty. Seems like he will take a few more overs to regain his touch.

ZIM 25-0

First boundary of the match! Marumani drives Chahar's inswinger to mid-off. The left-hander was in complete control of his shot to cover the movement.

ZIM 22-0

Plenty of swing on offer in the first few minutes. Perfect seam presentation from Siraj, who moves it away from Kaia. Zimbabwe openers are taking their time to settle. Just a single from the over.

ZIM 18-0

Huge appeal... and KL Rahul have gone upstairs after no interest from the on-field umpire. But ball-tracking shows it was going down the leg stump. 

India lose a review.

ZIM 17-0

The ball is moving quite nicely for Siraj but he sends one down the leg side and it's well off Samson's reach. Five wides!

Just a single off the last delivery. Marumani pushes it to mid-off... six runs off the over.

ZIM 12-0

It's four leg byes to end the over! Kaia looks to flick Chahar's delivery but it comes off his pads to go down the leg side. Keeper Sanju Samson can't get to it.

Mohammed Siraj comes into the attack to share the new ball with Deepak Chahar.

ZIM 6-0

Kaia and Marumani start for Zimbabwe. Chahar opens the bowling attack. Let's begin!

ZIM 0/0

India have three seamers, two spinners and Hooda, who can also chip in with some overs. But the spotlight will be on the opening pair. Dhawan and Gill set to begin innings, with Ishan and Rahul claiming the No. 3 and 4 spots.

Players line up for the national anthems, which is followed by a moment of silence for Rudi Koertzen. We are minutes away from live action. India to bowl first!

Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (capt & wk), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Bradley Evans, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava.

"It was a long vacation for me. Now fully fit and back. Tough competition in the Indian team and it has been high since I started playing. If I get an opportunity, I can do the job with the new ball and bat in the lower order. It is about performing and I don't think about opportunities," says Deepak Chahar, who returns to the eleven after a long injury lay-off.

Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul(c), Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson(w), Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

"We would have bowled first as well, but this looks like a good wicket and will stay true for the rest of the day. It's something we've spoken about (about top-order collapses), looking to sort it out. We've got Ngarva and Marumani coming in," says ZIM captain Regis Chakabva.

"We will bowl first. Looks like a good wicket, it's an early start, so could have a bit of moisture. Good opportunity to bowl first and exploit the first hour," says KL Rahul.

"A lot of guys have got opportunities, good chance to challenge yourself and your skills. Looking forward to a good show. Deepak Chahar was unfortunate to miss out for a long time, excited for a few coming back after injuries."

KL Rahul wins toss. India elect to bowl against Zimbabwe.

India had to make a late change to a 16-strong squad with all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed coming in for Washington Sundar, who was injured playing English county cricket… toss and team news coming up shortly. Stay tuned for Live updates.

Sikandar Raza played a key role in the ODI series against Bangladesh with successive centuries. He also earned big praise from Shikhar Dhawan.

"He is a very good player who has been representing Zimbabwe with distinction for a long time," said India's vice-captain.

"Sikandar is a quality cricketer with bat and ball. I am sure our bowlers will come up with nice plans against him."

While Rahul hopes to fine-tune his batting before the Asia Cup, the Indian bowling attack comprising Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Deepak Chahar and Kuldeep Yadav will look to make an impact from the word go. 

The visiting side also has Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel in the all-rounders department.

With the World T20 about two months away, Rahul looks to regain his touch as he is among the top players in the 20-over format. His deputy Dhawan, on the other hand, continues to play ODIs and will likely play a key role at the 2023 World Cup.

The 50-over format, which is fast losing popularity and struggling to retain its identity, will be put to the test as India and Zimbabwe look to produce some eye-catching cricket.

India flaunt a number of batters in the opening order like Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, and Shubman Gill. Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also in the squad. 

But it remains to be seen whether the team management sticks with the experienced Rahul-Dhawan duo at the top... toss coming up soon. Stay tuned for Live updates.

KL Rahul made his ODI and T20I debut in Zimbabwe back in 2016. Though he scored a golden duck in his first T20I, he scored an unbeaten 100* on his ODI debut. It was also the last time India played Zimbabwe.

"My ODI and T20I debut happened here. I got a hundred in my first ODI. I have great memories here and am hoping to add some more to it. Coming back here as a skipper feels great, especially when you look back at your debut," said Rahul in a presser on Wednesday.

India legend and current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) VVS Laxman has assumed the role of the head coach for the tour of Zimbabwe. India's batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey are on a break, with Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Sairaj Bahutule filling in for them.

For Zimbabwe, the likes of Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva and Innocent Kaia look to their batting performances from the Bangladesh encounters. Zimbabwe host India after a series win in ODIs and T20Is against Bangladesh at home.

Maharashtra man Rahul Tripathi was a consistent IPL performer and he could be used in the middle-order at times at the expense of Shardul Thakur. 

Tripathi has to squeeze into India's star-studded batting line-up with Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson – players who will certainly prove to be more than a handful for hosts.