A commanding performance by the Indians

The comprehensive win in the second one-dayer must have done the Indian team a world of good, coming as it did immediately after the shock defeat at Faridabad. Sourav Ganguly's men were in command right from the moment they elected to bat on a slightly sluggish yet good batting wicket at Mohali. That said, I must add that the Zimbabweans showed a lot of courage and determination while unsuccessfully attempting to run down a massive victory target.

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I thought the Indians paced their innings in an impressive manner in the afternoon. Both Sourav Ganguly and Dinesh Mongia batted briskly before Mongia's judicious and well-planned innings came to an end. Ganguly, however, continued to bleed the listless Zimbabwean bowling attack dry. During his 83-ball 86, he looked the king of all he surveyed. I couldn't help but feel at this stage that the visitors had become a trifle complacent after their spectacular comeback win at Faridabad.

After the galloping start that the openers had provided, the move to send VVS Laxman in at No. 3 was definitely a poor one. It was further compounded by Rahul Dravid being sent in as No. 4. I have but the highest regard for Dravid the batsman but unfortunately the scoreboard does dawdle when he is at the crease. It would be appreciated if the Indian think-tank shuffles the batting order in keeping with the demands of the situation.

Getting back to the match, it was refreshing to see Laxman and Dravid scoring runs at a handsome clip for once. Dravid, who is always eager to assimilate newer nuances of batting, tried to repeat Douglas Marillier's astoundingly innovative scoop shot over the keeper's head on at least two occasions, though, not with the same degree of success. But he must at least be commended for his attempt to cock a snook at the conventional in the slog overs.

The Indian score of 319 definitely demanded an exceptional effort from the Zimbabweans who had been docked an over for their slow over-rate. Despite losing Dion Ebrahim early, Travis Friend and Alistair Campbell made a game effort.

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Friend, promoted as a pinch-hitter, was particularly outstanding, upping the tempo with genuine cricket shots. A cover drive against Kumble, which Friend executed after neatly steeping down the track, was the standout shot in an innings which would have given the Indians a few jitters.

The quick dismissal of both Friend and Campbell by Harbhajan Singh, followed by Andy Flower's departure for a relatively low score snuffed out any faint hopes that the visitors carried. But the Zimbabweans proved yet again that they are a spirited bunch of cricketers. They have been let down by their bowling attack which does not possess the wherewithal to trouble the Indians. Their batting and fielding, however, continues to impress.

As for the Indians, this series is a heaven-sent opportunity for every one of them to get into their best form ahead of the tour of the West Indies. Ganguly, for his part, did a good job as captain. His field placements were shrewd, as was the decision to retain Harbhajan Singh for the end overs. Ajay Ratra also looked good behind the stumps and if he now can score a few runs too, he would do himself and his side a big favour. All the Indians need to do is to discover a fifth bowler who can support Harbhajan and Kumble.

As Sourav Ganguly said at the post-match press-conference, the "first one-dayer was lost to a freak innings from Marillier". The win in the second one-dayer has, then, made India the firm favourites in this series, and unless they encounter the unlikely prospect of a greentop in any of the upcoming matches, they look well-nigh unstoppable.

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