Deepak Chahar was a man on a mission as the Indian pacer demolished the top-order of Zimbabwe in the 1st One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series on Thursday. Chahar, who made a sensational return to international cricket on the Zimbabwe tour, bagged three crucial wickets to turn the tie into a low-scoring contest at the Harare Sports Club. Watching Chahar run riot in the series opener at Harare, fans and followers of the KL Rahul-led Indian side shared a special request for the star pacer.
In a video shared by a Twitter user, fans were seen requesting Chahar to avoid taking more wickets so that they can watch Rahul bat for a longer period of time at Harare. “Deepak Chahar wicket mat le, KL Rahul ka batting dekhna hai.” (Deepak Chahar, please don’t take wickets, we want to watch KL Rahul bat.),” a fan said. The video soon became the talk of the town on the internet amid the 1st ODI between the two teams.
Giving India a flying start in the series opener on Thursday, pace ace Chahar removed the likes of Innocent Kaia, T Marumani and Wesley Madhevere as the hosts were reduced to 31-3 in 9.2 overs. Chahar bagged three wickets and leaked 27 runs in 7 overs. Captain Regis Chakabva scored 35 off 51 balls before Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava frustrated the Indian bowlers with a record ninth-wicket stand of 70 runs in the 1st ODI.
Captain Regis Chakabva scored 35 off 51 balls before Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava frustrated the Indian bowlers with a record ninth-wicket stand of 70 runs in the 1st ODI. The batting heroics of the tailenders lifted Zimbabwe to 189 in 40.3 overs. In reply, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill stitched an unbeaten 100-plus run opening stand to secure a comfortable win for the visitors.
