Zimbabwe cruise to six-wicket win India may have had an unbeaten record at Kochi, but the third one-day international brought an abrupt and unexpected end to that streak. Zimbabwe were expected to struggle, both because of the heat and the absence of Andy Flower, out with a hip injury. But India, missing Anil Kumble, got off to a disastrous start after winning the toss, with newcomer Douglas Hondo taking three quick wickets at the top of the order. Mohammad Kaif displayed some spine, hitting 56, but apart from Sanjay Bangar, no batsman could give him company, and the Indian innings folded for 191. India’s only hope, thus, was to take wickets regularly, but after Dion Ebrahim and Travis Friend fell, Alistair Campbell and Grant Flower put on a match-winning 105 runs. Campbell made 71 and Flower 49, but neither could finish the job off, and it took captain Stuart Carlisle to hit the winning runs, giving Zimbabwe a six-wicket win that throws this series wide open.

Harbhajan: The thought of giving up on cricket came not once but a number of times Time was when Harbhajan Singh was perceived to be the bad boy of Indian cricket. But a dream series against Steve Waugh’s Australians around this time last year transformed him into one of India’s heroes. The buzz that Bhajji now generates could be felt at the second one-dayer in his home ground of Mohali, where he was the undoubted centre of attraction despite the presence of marquee names like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. It was, however, not a smooth ride to the top for the young Indian off-spinner. He recently recounted the trials and tribulations he underwent after his initial failures and his father’s untimely death in an interview to the BBC. "I was totally gutted (by his father’s death). The thought of giving up on cricket came not once but a number of times. I had not only to look after and fend for my family, but also see to it that my sisters got married. I had responsibilities but precious little money to meet them," Harbhajan recollected. The great faith that his late father showed in his abilities, though, spurred him on. "I had to prove those who had written me off, those who had pointed fingers on inadequacies in my game, that they were all wrong," he continued. Bhajji would never have succeeded in that mission without the support of his captain Ganguly and senior players. "They supported me at a stage when my name did not figure anywhere for an Indian selection," he said, acknowledging the debt he owes them. As for his bowling, he said, "I will concentrate on my style, seek to improve on it and see how I can bowl at my best."

Gavaskar makes his case Sunil Gavaskar led India in the most number of Tests. Naturally, then, he knows all about the pressures accompanying the "second-most important job in the country." A great supporter of Ganguly’s captaincy, the legendary opener could not help but make the following comment after Dinesh Mongia bowled a successful first spell in international cricket at Mohali. "Mongia is not a regular bowler, but Ganguly used him well, though of course he won't get credit for it. Any other captain using a non-regular bowler, with the bowler picking wickets, would be hailed as a genius, but the Indian skipper will be lucky if it even gets a mention in the final match assessment," he wrote in his column in the Hindustan Times. Are the Indian media and fans listening?

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