New Stars Emerge in India’s Tour of Zimbabwe

After years in the domestic circuit, Manish Pandey & Kedar Jadhav made the most of their outings in the India jersey.

The Indian Cricket team and officials pose for a group photo prior to the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare. (Photo: AP)

After slugging it out in the Indian domestic circuit for over eight years, Manish Pandey finally earned an India call-up on Tuesday and the 25-year-old made sure his debut wouldnt go unnoticed.

Indian batsman Manish Pandey, right, plays a shot during the third ODI vs Zimbabwe. (Photo: AP)

Some solid bowling from the hosts to start the match, and India were reduced to 82/4 within just 22 overs. Young Pandey though, playing in place of the injured Ambati Rayudu, grabbed the reigns along with Kedar Jadhav to settle the innings. The duo’s 144-run stand for the fifth wicket, ultimately guided India to a match-winning 276 runs in their 50 overs.

It is very important to have a good debut. It builds your confidence and gives you the belief that you belong. But I will not be thinking about this performance for too long. I have a long way to go and I will focus on what I have to do next.
– Manish Pandey

Standing at the other end of the crease during that 5th wicket stand was Kedar Jadhav. The 30-year-old, playing only his fourth ODI for India remained unbeaten on 105, an innings that won him the man-of-the-match award.

I always knew that it wouldn’t be easy to score in every game, but I told myself that whenever I get going, I will stay until the last and make sure my team wins. So I am happy that today I got in first, settled and then I carried on to the end.
– Kedar Jadhav

Indian player Kedar Jadhav kisses the trophy at the end of the ODI series against Zimbabwe in Harare. (Photo: AP)

With the victory in the third ODI at Harare, Ajinkya Rahane’s Indian team completed a 3-0 whitewash.

They now change over to their T20 uniform and play two more games, on the 17th and the 19th, before wrapping up the tour.