Ganguly powers India to victory

Ashish Shukla

Sourav Ganguly finally shrugged off his poor form to power India to a comfortable four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the triangular one-day series match in Bulawayo on Wednesday.

The Indian skipper worked hard for his 85 runs and looked very determined to end the run-drought that has haunted him and the team for the last two series. He should have got his century but for an ambitious shot, off Grant Flower, that was caught by Alistair Campbell at the mid-wicket fence.

As Ganguly concentrated hard to get his timing and placements right, he got fine fine assistance from his deputy Rahul Dravid, who remained unbeaten on 72, as India went past Zimbabwe's total of 234 for six with four balls to spare.

Earlier, India squandered an initial advantage and allowed Zimbabwe to post a healthy total, conceding as many as 85 runs in the last ten overs.

Ganguly called the coin correctly for the second time in a row and promptly put Zimbabwe in to bat. Zaheer Khan immediately proved the decision correct by dismissing two batsmen in his first over, the second of the innings.

But the spotlight was on Ganguly throughout as the Indian captain concentrated hard and assiduously avoided balls outside the off-stump, his nemesis on so many ocassions recently.

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Mail Cricket Editor