India crush Zimbabwe by 83 runs at Harare It was an outing that India badly needed. Inexplicably put in to bat by Heath Streak, India's batsmen grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and although their final total of 255 was not exactly stratospheric, it will undoubtedly boost flagging egos. Most heartening for Indian fans was the return to runs of Sachin Tendulkar, who top-scored with 81 off 91 balls. Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag also got some time in the middle, and after a double strike by part-time left-arm spinner Grant Flower, India bounced back to register 255 for seven. Zimbabwe were never in the chase after veteran Javagal Srinath (8-1-14-2) turned in a mean spell of fast bowling that included two wickets. Sourav Ganguly made up for his failure with the bat with three quick wickets, and Zimbabwe finally collapsed to 172 all out in 44.4 overs, giving India their second - and undoubtedly more comprehensive - win of the tournament thus far.

We pulled up our socks - Tendulkar Sourav Ganguly could only have felt vindicated. After mass protests - including effigy- and poster-burning - took place at Kolkata and Allahabad, the Indian cricketers, for a change, were not the most popular people back home. But the win against Zimbabwe gave them their second win in three games, and it was a sardonic Ganguly who took strike in front of the microphone after the game. "We realise that if we aren't getting any support from the outside, we have to look inside for it," said Ganguly of his team's huddle after each successful strike during the second innings. "This is how we are trying to build up as a unit." "There's always pressure when you play an important event like the World Cup, but I think the reaction back home after losing one game to Australia was a bit too much," Ganguly added. About the win itself, the captain said: "It was good to see some of our batters come back to form, but I still feel we performed only 80 per cent of our ability. Our performance was much better than in the last two games but the batters are still not at their best form." Man of the Match Sachin Tendulkar also appeared to be relieved after striking form. "We got together and pulled up our socks in this game. We put up a disappointing show against Australia but it didn't mean we would do it in the following games as well." Tendulkar also had words of praise for protege Virender Sehwag. "It is always a delight to watch him play as he is a very exciting batsman," said Tendulkar. "In such situations, all you really want to do is take a single and then watch him from the other end as he plays his strokes."

Protests give way to celebrations after India win Protests across India over the team's poor start to the World Cup have given way to celebrations after they beat Zimbabwe by 83 runs to stay in the hunt for a spot in the tournament's Super Six stage. Fans, who had demonstrated angrily against Sourav Ganguly's team, were now seen dancing in the streets chanting slogans of support. "India will win, we are the champions," they screamed during late night celebrations on Wednesday at New Delhi's India Gate complex, where a small crowd had gathered. A mock funeral had been staged for Ganguly earlier his week and his effigy was burnt in his hometown of Calcutta. Posters of Tendulkar were burnt in Bombay and middle-order batsman Mohammad Kaif's house in Allahabad was attacked with black paint and oil. But on Wednesday night, fans in Calutta were shouting: "Ganguly is the best captain, India is the best team."

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