Cricket: India Clean Sweep Zimbabwe 5-0, Complete Hattrick Of Tournament Wins!

First, the ICC Champions Trophy-2013 with Team India remaining unbeaten throughout, second being the Celkon Mobile Cup Triangular Series in West Indies where Team India fought back from the brink of elimination to win the title and now the bilateral five-match ODI Series in Zimbabwe with Team India white washing the hosts 5-0 most emphatically and convincingly and winning the second Celkon Mobile Cup within a month. The latest Indian sweep and the completion of a hattrick assumes some significance considering the fact it was almost a junior Team India that basically and later most effectively tested India’s bench strength. There is not much to write home about the hapless Zimbabwe team with the Indian media mostly discussing the utter lack of cricket funds in that country and the contrast between Indian and Zimbabwean cricketers in terms of money. In the absence of Indian captain MS Dhoni vice-captain Virat Kohli did a commendable job leading from the front and never failing to inspire the young players—particularly the bowlers. Amit Mishra—after almost two months of exile—came back strongly to capture 18 wickets in 5 matches and achieving a six-wicket haul in the last ODI played yesterday. Pervaz Rasool, spinner from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, could have become the first ever cricketer from the state to play for the Indian eleven, but he could not get a chance which attracted political comments. Skipper Kohli defended the decision saying that Rasool did not fit the team’s bowling plans and that he would soon get to play lot of cricket as he figures in India A team visiting South Africa in near future.

Ravindra Jadeja

New updates of the ICC ODI Rankings were announced last evening after the Indian sweep. Team India continues to dominate as the number one ODI team although just one point was gained after the latest triumph. More significantly, flourishing all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became the number one ODI bowler with 38 wickets from the last 22 matches. He thus becomes the first Indian bowler to have this honor after Anil Kumble in 1996, and the fourth ever Indian bowler to do so.

Team India thoroughly deserves about two months rest after its triumphant return home. Australia is scheduled to visit India for seven one-day matches in October-November. Of course, in between there will be a Champions League T20 Tournament to be played in India in September where some IPL teams would be participating. Take a break from cricket for the moment!

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