Spinners did the job for us: Ajinkya Rahane
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane credited his spinners for exploiting the slow pitch to the optimum as India sealed the three-match series against Zimbabwe with a comfortable 62-run win in the second ODI, on Sunday.
“Wicket was slow early on but got even slower in second innings. We have a good experienced attack with quality spinners who did the job for us. It wasn’t easy for batting but we bowled well. Our bowlers were up to the mark, they bowled in right areas and fielding was right up there,” Rahane said after the match.
Asked if he felt India targetted to go past 300, Rahane said, “We were looking for 280-290 but we batted pretty well and partnership between me and (Murali) Vijay was crucial and later Vijay’s with Rayudu.”
India opener Vijay, who scored 72 was adjudged Man-of-the-Match.
“It was a great opportunity for me to prove myself. I wasn’t getting my flow right but still helped in the opening partnership. The wicket was much better today( on Sunday), a bit on the slower side but we adjusted to it,” he said.
Vijay said that he was eyeing a century but played a “bad shot” to get out.
Losing skipper Elton Chigumbura said it was a gettable total.
“Losing three wickets in first 11 overs made us lose today( on Sunday), something we need to work on from next game. Was a much better wicket today and a chaseable score, we thought they’d score 300 but we managed to pull it back. Unfortunately didn’t back it with the bat,” the home skipper said.
