Bulawayo: India created history on Saturday by recording their first-ever five-match ODI series whitewash on foreign soil as they thrashed Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fifth and final cricket one-dayer, riding on leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s career-best six-wicket haul.
Man-of-the-Match Mishra’s fine effort of 6-48 saw India bowl out Zimbabwe for a paltry 163 in 39.5 overs after opting to bowl and the visitors then chased down the small target comfortably with 16 overs to spare at Queens Sports Club here.
The leg-spinner also equalled the world record for most wickets in a bilateral ODI series. He took his series tally to 18, equalling the record held by compatriot Javagal Srinath.
India have recorded three 5-0 series wins at home in the past five years – whitewashing England twice and New Zealand once. But, this was their maiden whitewash win in a five-match series away from home.
Ajinkya Rahane, who was playing in his first match of the series, top-scored with a 66-ball 50, his third ODI fifty in his 17th match, with the help of four boundaries and a six. He shared a crucial 71-run partnership for the third wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (not out 48 from 77 balls) to lay the foundation for the win.
Jadeja ended the contest in style by hitting a six as India reached 167 for three in 34 overs.
The victory target was too small for the rampaging Indians, who have recorded convincing wins over the home side in all the five matches.
The young Indian side under Virat Kohli, who had come here without a few top players, maintained their domination over the home side and ended the series in emphatic style.
This series victory also rectified their disappointing performance in this country in 2010 when they lost all their two matches in a tri-series. (PTI)