Cricket World Cup 2015 India v/s Zimbabwe: Raina, Dhoni take India to 6-wicket win

India got a scare in this match, first when Zimbabwe piled on 287 and then after they were 92/4. In fact, Zimbabwe were well on top at the latter stage, and will desperately rue the missed chance off Raina. Brendan Taylor will not get the farewell he deserves despite a brilliant century. Raina's century helped him get into form, and under great pressure. India win six out of six game in the league stage and go into the quarterfinals on a high. India have now won their last 10 World Cup games in a row. Raina has been declared the Man of the Match.

Over 49

SIX! The commentary team wanted a six, the crowd wanted a six, and they got a six from Dhoni. Short ball and pulled over deep square leg for six. India have won by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare, after being in real trouble at 92/4. The CSK boys - Raina and Dhoni have done it again.

Dhoni biffs a low full toss through cover and a terrific effort on the boundary saves two.

Single off the second ball, India need 8 off 10.

Over 48

India 279/4 after 48 overs, just 9 needed off 12 balls.

Yet another wide. Zimbabwe are looking clueless. 11 needed off 15 balls. Easy meat.

Driven through the covers, fielder misfields and India get two.

On the legs, Raina tries to beat fine leg, but some good fielding saves three.

Dunno Y when almost on d verge of winning feel.sorry for the opponent team :( #INDvsZIM

— MahiYa! (@varshasinghs) March 14, 2015

Again an over is begun with a wide. This is the third game Zimbabwe have thrown away.

Over 47

FOUR. Swivel pull for four and India are hurtling to victory now. India 271/4 after 47 overs.

SIX! Slammed straight down the ground, flat six, the fielder jumps 12 feet in the air but he can't get to it.

Lands in between two fielders. Dhoni went for the big shot on the off side, landed just in front of two fielder

DROPPED. Raina had offered an easy chance at long off. It was just a matter of lunging forward and holding on, but the fielder spooned it. Another catch gone down.

Low full toss from Mupariwa and Dhoni biffs it to long on for one.

Over 45

Did he drop the catch? India get 9 off the over, 249/4.

Yet another wide. Zimbabwe have completely lost the plot under pressure. There is still a chance. Two wickets will bring the game back to Zimbabwe.

Century for Suresh Raina, great innings under pressure. 100 off 94.

Raina scores on bouncers. Raina hits a century on foreign pitches. Not @fakingnews #INDvsZIM

— Sagarcasm (@sagarcasm) March 14, 2015

FOUR. Outside leg stump, and Raina lets it run fine for four. Zimbabwe are losing another game from a winning position here. Raina on 99. What a comeback innings.

Over 44

Two dot balls to end the over, but it went for 13 runs first. India 240/4 after 44 overs.

FOUR. No ball for height, and Dhoni pulls it to long leg disdainfully for four. Zimbabwe are starting to lose this match quickly

Low full toss, played straight down to long on for one.

FOUR. Another late cut from Raina, another boundary. Short third man is square for some reason - apart fron the fact that he is present there. It beats him and it's four.

Tendai Chatara to bowl. Wide ball first up.

Over 43

10 off the over again. India 227/4. The chase has turned almost on its head now. 61 needed off 42 balls.

50 comes up for MS Dhoni. Great knock under pressure. Can he finish the job now?

Slower delivery, hits Raina's pad and India get one leg bye.

FOUR. Delicate touch, beautiful late cut and Raina finally gets it right.

Short ball outside off stump and Dhoni biffs it away to sweeper cover for one.

Over 41

Single off the last ball, India 204/4 after 41 overs.

Suresh Raina & MS Dhoni - now nine 100+ stands in ODIs India won 6, lost 1, Tie 1 Today? #BingPredicts #DimagSay

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 14, 2015

Now he gets a single and a helmetless Dhoni readjusts his gloves.

Raina tries to cut but misses out. And it happens twice.

FOUR. Sikandar Raza comes back and gets some treatment. Short ball, Dhoni swivels and pulls to long leg for four.

Over 40

Single off the last ball and 13 off the over. India 197/4 after 40 overs.

Batting 2nd when Suresh Raina scores 50+ India win 14 times (88%), lost 2 #BingPredicts #DimagSay

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 14, 2015

Outside leg stump, Raina fails to get it away but it's called wide.

100 run partnership up off 103 balls.

Steered down, good stop at short third man or that was four. Raina is angry.

SIX! Short, Raina comes down the track and pulls over deep midwicket for six.

Over 39

Raina had the chance to go down the ground but he decided against it. Settled for one. India 184/4 after 39 overs.

287 runs ?? how did that happen ??? India come onnnn... this is serious #Worried #INDvsZIM

— Vinisha Valsan (@WildChildVini) March 14, 2015

Dhoni pulls to square leg, the fielder comes running in and India get just one. 

Three balls gone and Dhoni still can't find the gap. Now four dot bolls.

Tawanda Mupariwa continues. Dhoni tries to steer the ball in the gap between short third man and gully but fails.

Over 38

Two off the last ball, 12 off the over. India 182/4 after 38.

FOUR. Short ball wide outside leg, Raina swivels and pulls behind the keeper for four.

FOUR. Oh dear. It was fine that short third man could not stop it. But then, there was a deep third man too, and he ran in, fell and misfielded. The ball sped to the boundary.

Raina misses out on a slow short ball, but the keeper misses it too and India get one.

Tendai Chatara comes back. 

Over 37

Good fielding to end the over. Just 7. India 170/4.

Smart late cut, but finds third man. Only one.

On middle and leg, but Dhoni is neither Tendulkar nor Dravid nor Azhar. He can only get a single.

Single off the third ball. India need big runs in this powerplay. 10 off 9 so far.

FOUR. But what a shot by Raina. Full ball just outside off, and he bisected wide mid on and extra cover who was hanging back. 50 up for Raina too.

Tinashe Panyangara will bowl another spell. Good thinking by Taylor to keep the pacers on in the powerplay.

Over 36

FOUR. Dhoni flicks through the small gap between square leg and short leg, and gets four. India 163/4 after 36 overs.

Raina goes for a non-existent single as Dhoni defends. He is halfway down the pitch and then rushes back, dives. Throw doesn't hit the stumps.

Outside off, Dhoni goes after it but does not connect well.

On middle and leg and Dhoni fails to get it away.

This is getting more intense every passing minute. Hope Dhoni finishes it off with style, the way he has done so many times before #INDvsZIM

— Sandy Dandy (@samyfrmghy) March 14, 2015

Dhoni defends the second ball of the over.

Compulsory powerplay begins, but India will be happy about it. Raina flicks a single to the on side to begin.

Over 35

DROPPED. Critical drop. Raina's sweep takes a top edge, Hamilton Masakadza sets himself up at short fine leg on the circle, but then drops a sitter. India 158/4 after 35 overs.

Raina gets two to deep long on. Good running.

Shimmy down the track, bowled on leg, can only get one.

Dhoni is down the track, takes it on the full but hits straight back to the bowler.

Raina gets yorked but still manages to carve out a single on the leg side.

Single off the first ball of the last over before the compulsory powerplay.

Over 34

Just two off the over, India 151/4 after 34 overs.

Wide. Raina thought of a swish but let it go in the end.

Raina seems to be playing for the powerplay now as he defends three balls.

Single off the second ball down to long off.

A steady supply of ones and twos with fours and sixes here & there can do the magic. And only magic can save India now. #INDvsZIm

— kanika handa (@kanikahanda) March 14, 2015

Hamilton Masakadza comes back.

Over 32

Raina pulls again but just one this time. India 141/4 after 32 overs.

Pak's narrow win against Zim, w/Misbah 73 & Wahab 54 was because they didn't panic after losing early wkts. India can still win #INDvsZIM

— salman ahmad (@sufisal) March 14, 2015

Good length ball on middle and leg, flicked away for one.

FOUR. Width offered, and Dhoni slams the ball square on the off this time, over and wide of point for four. Third man can't get there.

FOUR. Short ball, and Dhoni gets over it and plays it away for four square on the on side. It was great that he kept it along the ground.

Good length ball, pulled away to long leg for one. 

Solomon Mire is back into the attack.

Over 31

Just three off the over. India 130/4.

Dhoni pulls a short ball straight along the ground to deep midwicket. That should have been put away for four.

Over 30

Dhoni gets a single to give the strike back to Raina, and then Raina scores another single. 15 off the over, India 127/4 after 30 overs.

Omg huge breakthrough for RAINAAA! Back to back sixes! #INDvsZIM

— ஜனனி ღ (@janselvan) March 14, 2015

Down the track, chipped in the air over midwicket, and he wasn't in control of that shot. He was lucky the fielder ducked instead of attempting to catch!

SIX! Scooped over long on for six. For a while it looked like he may be out caught, but then this ground is very short.

SIX! Down the track and this time Raina gets it in the meet of the bat. Over deep midwicket for six.

Over 29

Single off the last ball, India 112/4 after 29 overs.

Dhoni biffs it down the ground, the fielder in the deep cuts it off really well and again India are denied a boundary. 

Dhoni stays at the wkt for 50 overs India will win, but Zim playing their best game of the World Cup.have a real chance. #INDvsZIM #cwc2015

— salman ahmad (@sufisal) March 14, 2015

The required run rate has climbed to almost 8.5 per over.

Raina goes down the track again, wild slog and still finds the deep midwicket fielder. He was trying to send that ball into tomorrow.

Over 28

Jump-slog from Raina, to deep square leg for 1. 107/4.

Slog swept but straight to the man at square leg.

Way down the track, misses with the heave and Dhoni goes down the pitch to have a chat with him.

Raina drives through the off side for two.

Over 26

Dhoni is finding it tough to get the ball away. 103/4 after 26 overs.

Driven to long on for one off the third ball.

FOUR. Raina comes down the track and hits hard over mid wicket. The ball bounces just inside the boundary.

Over 25

Four runs off the over, India 98/4 after 25 overs.

Swept, but not cleanly. Just a single.

Dhoni comes down the track and hits to wide long on for two.

Over 23

MS Dhoni comes in in a critical situation. This is not 48 required. It's nearly 200. India 92/4 after 23 overs.

OUT! Sikandar Raza has done it. He has bowled Virat Kohli round the legs. Out for 38. India 92/4.

Not quite the ball of the century. #INDvsZIM

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 14, 2015

Raina is on 9 off 21 balls.

Fielder can't stop the swivel pull and India get one.

Sikandar Raza is the new bowler.

Over 22

Two singles to end the over. India 90/3 after 22 overs.

FOUR. Slog-sweep from Raina, it was still in the air, but the diving square leg could not stop it.

Again! This time the ball is slower, Raina was too early on the shot and the ball looped but but landed safely on the on side in front of mid on.

Turns outside leg, Raina tries to flick without moving his feet and the ball nearly carries to square leg.

Sean Williams will have a bowl.

Over 21

Just one from the over, India 84/3 after 21.

Raina tries a late cut but finds short third man.

India playing slower than misbah today. Too bad #INDvsZIM

— masked man (@vavettan) March 14, 2015

Three dot balls for Raina off the first 3 balls.

Over 20

India 83/3 after 20 overs.

FOUR. Beautiful backfoot drive through the off side for four.

Rahane tucks away a good length ball on middle for one through the on side.

Over 19

Two off the last ball. India 78/2, just 4 off the over.

Mupariwa continues. India have gone back into their shell.

Over 17

Short and wide, but Kohli just gets one to deep point. India 73/3 after 17.

Make or break innings for Raina. He has been consistently disappointing. #INDvsZIM

— Daemon In Vignette (@Deckle_Edge) March 14, 2015

India trying to go back the the vintage 1990's. The top order makes a mess. Hopes only one batsman now. #INDvsZIM

— Nikhil (@red_devil22) March 14, 2015

Raina gets a single to gully off his first ball.

Suresh Raina is the new batsman.

And it's drinks.

OUT. Run out. Kohli and Rahane went for a quick single where there was none. Rahane paid the price, the throw was not a direct hit but even a full stretch dive from Rahane could not save him as Taylor took off the bails. Part of the bat was inside the crease but in the air.

Over 16

India 69/2 after 16 overs.

Full, wide, crashed away by Rahane but finds sweeper cover. Gavaskar thought it was a four.

Misfield at point allows India a single.

Driven through covers for two as the extra cover fielder makes no effort to stop the ball.

Over 15

India 65/2 after 15 overs

FOUR. Biffed down the ground for four, the fielder at long on had no chance.

Two quick runs for Kohli after a flick through midwicket.

Mupariwa continues as India still content not to attack too much.

Over 14

Rahane drives in the air but its in the gap and India get 2. 58/2 after 14 overs.

Kohli's full blooded drive goes straight to cover.

Now an on drive for one.

FOUR. Too short, too wide and Rahane cuts it away for four.

Solomon Mire, who had been warming up, is the 2nd change bowler.

Over 13

India 50/2 after 13 overs.

Wide down the leg side but Taylor flicks off the bails quickly.

Nothing to panic. This is just the last game for us in NZ. QF,SF & Final for us would be in Aus & the cup would be in India later #INDvsZIM

— Yogi (@IntrepidWordist) March 14, 2015

Rahane punches a quick single down the ground. 

Wide ball, Kohli tries to put it away, takes the underedge and it goes to third man for one. Would have been better off leaving it.

Mupariwa is the new bowler and the keeper is standing up. Driven through covers for one.

Over 11

No run off the last ball. India 44/2 after 11 overs.

FOUR. Another dismissive shot, this time through covers. Races to the fence.

FOUR. Gifted half volley just outside off stump, driven dismissively past mid off for four.

Rahane is now stuck on 0. He's faced 6 balls.

Pacy ball outside off but Kohli calmly plays it into the gap on the off side for one.

Over 10

Rahane defends. India 35/2 after 10 overs.

#INDvsZIM now this game is becoming more intense than #INDvsPAK match this is real test before quarters

— @iabhishek (@AnjaanMasss) March 14, 2015

Kohli drives, slightly uppish but straight. The mid off fielder however cuts it off with a drive. Just one.

Wide, too wide, and Kohli just has to let it go.

Over 9

Just one off the over, India 32/2 after 9 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane plays and misses. Swing movement away from Rahane, who was a bit at sea.

Kohli hurries for a very quick and very intelligent single. Raza was very quick but even a direct hit may not have been sufficient.

Over 8

Another checked shot, he withdrew his bat at the last moment and got a single to third man. India 31/2 after 8 overs.

In a movie based on Rohit Sharma's life, Virat Kohli will be the main character. #INDvsZIM

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 14, 2015

FOUR. Too straight and Kohli flicks with ease through wide mid on for four.

FOUR. Another checked drive, but this time straighter. Beats mid on for four.

Drives, checks his shot but finds mid off.

Chatara continues, and bowls a wide. It really is Kohli time today if India are to be saved the blushes.

Over 7

Ajinkya Rahane is in. Leaves the first ball. India in trouble. 21/2 after 7 overs.

OUT! Inside edge, and BOWLED. Are Zimbabwe onto something here? Dhawan was struggling. He ends on 4 off 20. India 21/2.

Oh dear, Dhawan nearly edged to the keeper/slips. Collective oooh from the crowd.

OUT! Rohit Sharma is gone. The ball was slightly slower, and Rohit was early into his drive. Got a top edge that went nowhere but straight up. Short cover caught it running backwards. India 21/1.

Rohit looks like Sachin when he middles the ball, but otherwise he looks like Chris Martin! xP #IndVsZim

— Dharmesh (@dharmubaba) March 14, 2015

Over 5

Five off the over, India 20/0 after 5 overs.

Edged agin, but this time its lower and bounces before traveling parallel to second slip, down to third man for one.

Rohit flicks the first two balls of the 5th over for two each through the on side. 

Over 4

FOUR. On the pads, Dhawan plays it awkwardly through midwicket and away to the boundary. India 15/0 after 4.

Lets see how India chase this score. Should be fun to watch. #INDvsZIM

— Its Azarr (@itsazarr) March 14, 2015

Defended into the covers, still not off the mark.

Dhawan was seemingly shaping up for a big shot. The ball was full and straight so he played a cautious drive for no run.

Chatara continues and Rohit flicks him through square leg for one.

Over 3

Still no run for Dhawan. 9 balls for 0. India 10/0 after 3 overs.

Quick single off the third ball.

Panyangara continues. Outside off, widish but swinging away. Rohit lets it pass.

Over 2

Maiden over. India 9/0.

Punches to mid off and tries to look for a quick single, but is sent back.

Drives the third, identical ball outside off, misses.

Outside off, swinging away slightly and let alone by Dhawan.

Over 1

Next ball, he plays and misses. India 9/0 after 1 over.

FOUR. Slight width on offer, and punched off the backfoot for four.

Wide. Too wide.

He plays the third ball tentatively as well, outside off stump.

Rohit Sharma trying to get out #INDvsZIM

— Ashutosh Srivastava (@ashutoshsri) March 14, 2015

FOUR. Edged and four, barely flew to the left of second slip.

Rohit dabs the second ball down the ground and tries to get a single, but is sent back. The throw comes in but he's safe.

The Indian openers are out to the middle. Tinashe Panyangara is the new ball bowler for Zimbabwe.

India have now got 60 wickets in 6 games. But 287 is a large score which would not have been predicted by anyone prior to the match, and especially after Zimbabwe were 33/3. This score will take some chasing from India. Can they make it 6-0?

Over 49

OUT! Full, fast, near yorker length and Chatara is bowled for 0. Yadav gets three and Zimbabwe are bowled out for a very competitive 287 in 48.5 overs.

Too fast for Tendai Chatara, the ball was through before he could take his bat down, thankfully it was over the stumps.

Single down to third man and the last man, Chatara to face the music.

OUT! 142 kmph, short ball, Chakabva goes over mid wicket but doesn't time it, he holes out to Rohit Sharma who nearly dropped it.

Yadav to bowl his final over.

Over 48

Last ball outside off, missed. Just 2 off the over, Zimbabwe 286/8 after 48. Shami is now the joint highest wicket taker in this World Cup along with Trent Boult - 15.

make it 6 in row,make them all out,boys! #INDvsZIM

— ManSoor ;) (@Mansoor_4545) March 14, 2015

Attempted yorker, Mupariwa puts everything into his slog but only gets a single.

Searing good length ball, new man Mupariwa swings wildly across the line and misses.

OUT. Full ball outside off and Panyangara hits straight into the hands of deep midwicket as he fails to get distance.

LOL. Chakabva tries a reverse hook to a short ball. Looked wild and looked dangerous. Didn't connect, either with the bat or the helmet!

Over 46

OUT! Bowls a yorker, finally, right on middle and Raza, making room is bowled fair and square. Brilliant over for Zimbabwe anyway, 17 off it. Raza has played a really good cameo, 28 off 15. Zimbabwe 276/7.

Zim are nailing it. I thought this would be an one-sided game. #WeWontGiveItBack #IndvsZIM

— Leena Priya (@RainaMyIdol) March 14, 2015

SIX! Another short ball, pulled over deep midwicket this time for six. 

SIX! WHAT KIND OF SHOT IS THAT? Making room, off balance, and the straight ball on middle is tossed into the deep cover boundary for six!

FOUR. Short again and this time its pulled to the square leg boundary with gumption.

Short, pacy bouncer, great direction. Cannoned into the batsman who swayed out of the way like he was fearing for his life.

Shami is back. 8th over, he will bowl the 46th, 48th and 50th it seems.

Over 45

Seven off the over, Zimbabwe 259/6 after 45 overs.

Short and wide, missed out on a boundary. Just one.

Yet another direct hit from fine leg, and yet again Zimbabwe manage to run quickly enough to make their grounds.

Fast ball on middle, and batsman nearly falls over as he biffs it into the on side for one.

Jadeja into his last over.

Over 44

Flicked away off the hips, nearly carries to the man at fine leg. 252/6 after 44 overs.

Full toss, waist high, and Raza can only get a single.

Short but slower, outside off, Raza waits for it and then cuts through gully for two.

SIX. There are good short balls and then there are bad short balls. This was the latter. Just got pulled brutally for a flat six.

flat six sikander raza #INDvsZIM I have never anything flat than this.

— aakash tiwari (@MY_NAME_SKY) March 14, 2015

OUT. Slower short ball. Ervine goes for the pull, then withdraws the shot. Nothing shot eventually. Loops straight up in the air and Mohit takes it as well. Zimbabwe 241/6.

Mohit Sharma continues.

Over 42

FOUR. Short, pulled away for four by Ervine. Zimbabwe 239/5 after 42 overs.

What ever happened to Captain Cool? He looks lost. India have to bat well to win this game. Axar should have been picked. #INDvsZIM

— Prabhakar Sripada (@sripada101) March 14, 2015

OUT! Finally he's out. Full, slower ball, Taylor tries to force it over mid on but holes out. Tremendous knock in his final innings. 138 off 110 balls.

Another misfield and Ervine scores a single, for no reason.

Well bowled. Taylor makes room and Mohit follows him. Just a single.

Short ball into the ribs, Ervine pulls without conviction, and the fielder coming in from fine leg puts in a direct hit. There is a third umpire referral but again, Taylor is in.

Indian spinners taking a pasting today from Brendan. Is it the small grounds or inability to adapt when attacked or both? #INDvsZIM

— vijay (@vjqmar) March 14, 2015

25 runs off the previous over. 

Over 40

Zimbabwe 203/4 after 40 overs.

FOUR. India are losing it here. Taylor gave room and slashed through the off side. If it had not been for point misfielding, there was no run there. Instead Zimbabwe get four. 207/4 after 40.

Two low full tosses off which Ervine can't score. Good over so far.

Ervine tries a weird slog and gets it only to short fine leg. They set off for a single. A direct hit still doesn't get the job done as Taylor is just in.

Over 39

SIX! Flat six, over mid off and into the boundary. Brilliant over. 17 runs from it. Zimbabwe 200/2.

Outside leg stump, Craig Ervine misses the flick and its called wide.

Goodness me. Woeful sign for Indian bowling. He is creaming them at east. Taylor has been ruthless today. #INDvsZIM

— Daemon In Vignette (@Deckle_Edge) March 14, 2015

SIX! CENTURY FOR BRENDAN TAYLOR and what a way to do it! Short, throat high, just outside off and a very fine upper cut. It sailed over the boundary behind the keeper for six.

Taylor goes over the off side. The timing went wrong because of some swing. However it landed in no man's land and Zimbabwe get two.

Over 38

Single off the last ball. Zimbabwe 183/4 after 38 overs.

FOUR. Inside out! Ashwin bowls quicker, Taylor makes room and plays it inside out through extra cover for four. Onto 92.

Reverse sweep. Just makes contact and the ball hits Dhoni. 

FOUR. Pitched full on middle, and the hammering continues. Taylor goes straight down the ground and easily over Ashwin's head.

Ashwin into his 9th over. He has gone for 61. Dhoni may just want to bowl him out.

Over 37

SIX! Pitched short, slightly. Ervine is down the track in a flash and hammers Yadav for six over midwicket. Zimbabwe 171/4 after 37 overs.

Wide. That will be a wide. It's full, slow and outside leg stump. Dhoni takes it on the fourth bounce.

I am still stick to my opinion #RAshwin is among the worst #Bowlers in #history of #indian #cricket #INDvsZIM #CWC15

— suraj savardekar (@surajsavardekar) March 14, 2015

Short, around leg stump, Craig Ervine goes for the big pull and misses. Not called wide.

Umesh Yadav steams back in. Bowls into Taylor's ribs who gets a single.

Over 36

Two off the last ball, 5 off the over. 163/4 after 36 overs

Tucked away into the leg side for one.

Edged into the leg side for one by Craig Ervine.

Misfield at mid off and Zimbabwe get an undeserved single.

Compulsory powerplay on. Mohammad Shami returns.

Over 35

11 off the over, Zimbabwe 158/4 after 35 overs.

Brendan Taylor, actually playing like his last in Zimbabwe colours #INDvsZIM #CWC15

— Anand Subramaniam (@28anand) March 14, 2015

SIX! Taylor is playing a gem of an innings! Down the track, takes it on the bounce and lofts it over long on for six!

FOUR. Now a normal sweep shot and this almost goes for six to the fine leg boundary! Ashwin is looking all at sea today.

Brendan Taylor deploys the sweep again but finds short third man this time, who is squarer.

Over 33

Couple of singles and it's already 7 off the over. 8 off the over. Zimbabwe 142/4.

FOUR. Taylor comes down the track and slog-sweeps Ashwin for four.

Single down the ground off the second ball.

Ashwin continues into his 7th over. He has conceded 42 runs.

Over 31

Down the ground but stops his shot in the end. Just one. Zimbabwe 131/4 after 31 overs.

Ashwin continues and Ervine gets an edge to the on side for one.

Camera guys won't come where we're sitting to get the TV shots :( #sadlife #INDvsZIM #CWC15 #BleedBlue

— Shirley Setia (@ShirleySetia) March 14, 2015

Over 30

Driven through covers to open his account. 128/4.

Short ball just outside off, fast and chest height. Craig Ervine can't get it away.

Hits thigh pad, Dhoni catches it and Yadav is convinced its out. But the umpire turns it down and rightly so.

Over 29

Oh. Inside edge onto the pad, doesn't go onto the stumps. Both Ashwin and the crowd thought for a moment it had. Zimbabwe 126/4 after 29 overs.

Brendan Taylor in his last game for Zimbabwe in #CWC15 40 47 37 50 121 54* #BingPredicts #DimagSay

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 14, 2015

Turn away from the left handed Craig Ervive beats him.

OUT! Sean Williams has thrown it away! He comes down the track and hits it straight back to the bowler, couldn't get the elevation. Ashwin took it low. A very good catch. The third umpire was called for to check if Ashwin had floored it, but he hadn't. Zimbabwe 126/4.

Ashwin comes back from the other end

Over 28

Pacy ball, swing and a miss by Williams. More like before. Zimbabwe 125/3 after 28 overs.

Driven through point and now its fifty for Sean Williams too.

Fifty for Brendan Taylor in his last innings for the team. 

Umesh Yadav is back, Ashwin is out.

Over 27

On leg, short, and played down to long leg for one. Zimbabwe 119/3 after 27 overs.

Jadeja seems to be bowling sligthly shorter after that hammering dished out to Ashwin. Zimbabwe finally score a single off the fourth ball.

Jadeja continues. Taylor comes down the pitch, then defends. A half-hearted appeal.

Zimbabwe hammered 16 runs off the last over. Two sixes over midwicket and a boundary.

#INDvZIM Nottinghamshire CC must be looking at doubling their acquisition as Williams is carting the Indian bowlers too. #INDvsZIM #ZIMvsIND

— Punit Sharma™ (@Punit127) March 14, 2015

Over 25

Single down to wide long brings up the 100 for Zimbabwe. Good recovery. 101/3 after 25 overs.

Point is deep so a cut straight to him still gets one for Zimbabwe.

Over 24

Outside edge gets one off the last ball. Zimbabwe 98/3 after 24 overs.

Two singles after that six.

SIX. Zimbabwe are turning it on now. Outside off and Williams swings it over deep midwicket for six.

Over 23

Down the track, hit straight back to the bowler and Sean hurries back into the crease as Jadeja threatens to throw.

Why we dont have more @bhogleharsha like commentators? Sunil Gavaskar is torturing like hell. #INDvsZIM #cwc

— Kabira (@SahiHaiYaar) March 14, 2015

FOUR. Reverse sweep again! Good length outside off, Sean Williams swivels and puts it over short third man for four.

Jadeja continues. 50 partnership up between Taylor and Williams.

Over 22

FOUR. Even better reverse sweep, it was right in the gap between short third man (who had moved square) and gully. Speeds to the boundary. Zimbabwe 82/3.

Zimbabwe are beginning to milk the Indian bowling. Driven through the covers and Jadeja had to slide to stop it.

Driven down the ground for one.

FOUR. Ashwin back into the attack, and a ball outside off is reverse swept for four again by Taylor.

Over 21

Zimbabwe 72/3 after 21 overs

FOUR. Reverse swept for four. Raina was as at a very fine short third man and had no chance.

Now a single down to long on as Zimbabwe's two best batsmen get into their stride.

#INDvsZIM #williams plays excellently in last 5 innings I except same from him today too. Why not he deserved it.

— Dhanasekar (@sekarr90) March 14, 2015

Ravindra Jadeja gets cut for two through point.

Over 19

Just two off the over, Zimbabwe 61/3 after 19 overs.

Williams goes for the reverse sweep and finds point.

Single in the deep as Jadeja continues. Partnership 27 off 44.

Over 18

Driven, good fielding at point by Jadeja saves four. Zimbabwe 59/3 after 18 overs.

Have Taken Pledge, Won't Shave Until We Win The World Cup.#INDvsZIM #CWC15

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) March 14, 2015

Williams tries to drive, but there is slight inswing which means he gets an edge and the ball goes straight back to the bowler.

The pitch seems to have flattened out now and scoring singles has become easier.

Single to short midwicket.

Bouncer from Mohit right after drinks. Fended away to the on side for one by Taylor.

Over 17

Ten off the over, 56/3 after 17 overs and it's drinks.

FOUR. Down the ground again, this time its Taylor. Rohit Sharma dived after coming in from long and nearly caught it.

Driven down to long on for one.

FOUR. Sean Williams comes down the track to Jadeja and goes straight down the ground for four. Mid off was a spectator.

Over 16

On middle and leg and tucked away for one. ZImbabwe 46/3 after 16 overs.

Wide. Sharma tries a short ball to end the over, but it's called wide for height. Harsh call.

Just realised, Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja, Ashwin, Mohit. 5 CSK boys in the Indian team #CWC15 #INDvsZIM

— Mujtaba Haider (@ManiMujtaba) March 14, 2015

Mohit Sharma continues despite the injury scare last over.

Over 15

One off the last ball. Jadeja is bowling just outside off on a good length. Zimbabwe 43/3.

Ravindra Jadeja continues, and bowls three dot balls.

Over 13

Zimbabwe are 42/3 after 13 overs.

FOUR. Brendan Taylor sweeps on the front foot and gets four through square leg.

Jadeja has been handed the ball. Surprised Mohit Sharma didn't get a longer spell.

Over 12

Three off Ashwin's first, Zimbabwe 36/3.

R Ashwin is into the attack, this could spell trouble for Zimbabwe.

Over 11

OUT! Another caught behind! Mire's difficulties are over. Outside off, shaping away and Mire got a faint touch on it it seems. Dhoni threw the ball up in the air, Mohit appealed late but Mire was walking! Zimbabwe 33/3.

Taylor is just 29 and this is his last International Match,Misbah is 42 and he must have started planning for the next #CWC #CWC15 #INDvsZIM

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) March 14, 2015

Driven through covers, Jadeja slides to prevent the boundary. Two runs.

FOUR. Big outswing, but the line was wrong - it was too wide. Slashed away by Mire and goes for four.

Mohit Sharma has been introduced into the attack.

Over 10

Too much bounce, the batsman leaves but first slip can't reach it. The third man puts in a diving stop and Zimbabwe gets three. It all looked quite comical. Zimbabwe 27/2 after 10 overs.

Swinging into middle stump, batsman nearly falls over while defending it.

FOUR. Good length ball outside off, sent over extra cover for four.

Full on middle and off, driven down the ground for two. 

Over 9

Full, swinging on the pads, but again Mire fails to get it away. Zimbabwe 19/2

Looks like Kohli will alone chase the total runs that'll be set by the Zimbabwe batsmen today. #INDvsZIM

— Jennifer (@DsouzaJennifer) March 14, 2015

Wide, goes after it without any feet and misses. Mire is in a deep mire here, 3 off 15 so far.

Rapped on the pads again, huge appeal from India, but this time it is too high. It only seems like a matter of time, each time.

Disciplined over after the wide, 3 dot balls and on the right length.

Shami bowls a wide first ball.

Over 8

Driven through the covers for two as Yadav loses his line a bit. Zimbabwe 18/2 after 8 overs.

Now a couple to deep midwicket, the fielder comes round and stops the boundary.

Short ball into the body, Soloman Mire pulls and gets a single after 3 consecutive boundaries.

Over 6

Zimbabwe ought to get the balls on middle and leg away. 13/2.

Lol maiden overs keep comin galore #INDvsZIM

— PreetikaRaoFanatic (@PreetikaRules) March 14, 2015

Swinging in, hits the pad but it was clearly going down leg.

More swing for Yadav, he's maintaining the line outside off stump.

Over 5

Last ball is defended and Zimbabwe are 13/2 after 5 overs. Wicket maiden.

Batsman wafts outside off, no feet, no conviction, and is lucky to miss out on an outside edge.

OUT! Edge again, and out again! Good catch by Dhawan at first slip, it was climbing on him and he could have spooned it. Zimbabwe 13/2.

Over 4

Another outside edge, this time it is Chibhabha. Drops short of the slips. Zimbabwe 13/1 after 4 overs.

Now I am wide awake Well done Yadav! #IndvsZim

— Sunchika Pandey (@SunchikaPandey) March 14, 2015

On the pads, and new batsman Soloman turns it away for one. Bad ball to a new batsman.

OUT. Drives again, good length just outside off moving away, and Masakadza edges to Dhoni. Zimbabwe 11/1.

Yadav continues, Masakadza drives but straight back to the bowler.

Over 3

Zimbabwe 11/0 after 3 overs.

Pace, rapped on the pads again, though it was in line this time but the length would have taken it over the stumps again.

Full, swinging into the pads, and Chibhabha is rapped on the pads. Huge appeal, umpire turns it down. Was going down leg.

FOUR. Inside edge, almost played on, and goes to the boundary. Shami's length though has been a bit over the place.

Over 2

Worked away through square leg for two and the throw to Dhoni is weak. Zimbabwe 6/0 after 2 overs.

Hits the thigh pad, goes to 3rd slip and Rahane holds on. Appeal by Yadav, appeal by the crowd. Not given.

Turned through the on side for one by Masakadza.

Biffed through the covers and well fielded.

Umesh Yadav opens the bowling with Shami, and his length is spot on first ball.

Over 1

Three from the over, Zimbabwe 3/0 after 1 over.

Wide, swinging away, and rightly called wide.

#INDvsZIM What a great feeling to listen to National Anthem early in the morning. Gives Goosebumps. Proud feeling.

— Cricket India (@cric_ind) March 14, 2015

Chibhabha now misses out on a ball on middle and leg, it hits his pad.

Into the right hander and Chibhabha leaves.

Slashed outside off, takes the underage and goes to third man for one.

Slightly short and wide, Chibhabha goes after it but misses.

Shami runs in and bowls an inswinger to Chibhabha, who defends it down the wicket

The Zimbabwean openers walk out to the middle.

Zimbabwe have been scoring 45/1 in the 1st Power play (1-10) in their five games What will they score today? #BingPredicts #DimagSay

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 14, 2015

6:05 IST Saturday, 14 March 2015

India have won the toss and will bowl first. Dhoni says the short boundaries will help India chase again. They are playing with the same team. Zimbabwe too have the same team.

5:58 IST Saturday, 14 March 2015

It's almost time for the toss. Meanwhile, here are some interesting tweets:

On the train to Eden Park. Feels more like I'm on the way to Eden Gardens though. #CWC15 #INDvsZIM

— ajay murthy (@ajaystwtr) March 14, 2015

#INDvsZIM Shouldn't India dare to get the reserve players, Stuart, Axar and Rayudu battle ready by playing them today? What you say?

— Sreenivasan R (@sreenindia) March 14, 2015

Venues in #CWC15 with 6s (balls/6s) Hamilton 33 Auckland 37 Hobart 37 Canberra 41 ------------- Brisbane 300 MCG 120 Dunedin 111 Adelaide 84

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 13, 2015

Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the India v/s Zimbabwe clash at Auckland. The match begins at 6:30 am IST.

These two teams could not have had two more contrasting campaigns. India have won all five matches they have played, bowling out all opposition. They are perched at the top of Pool B and will remain there irrespective of today's result. Zimbabwe on the other hand, have won only against lowly UAE, though they ran Ireland, and most notably Pakistan, close. Here's the match preview.

Much has been said in the Indian camp and by its supporters before the contest begins. For example, MS Dhoni has indicated that India would opt for testing the bench only in case of serious injury to anyone in the playing XI. He also added that as captain, Dhoni's assessment is best when his bowlers are bowling well. 

Mohammad Shami has returned the compliment as well.

Rohit Sharma though has earned some more brickbats, this time from Ranji Trophy legend Wasim Jaffer.

Sourav Ganguly on the other hand is very positive about Team India, but he dishes out some cautionary advice in this exclusive interview to dna

Though not many voices from the Zimbabwe camp can be heard, skipper Brendan Taylor has made it clear that he wants to end Zimbabwe's World Cup on a high.

Here are some interesting facts about India v/s Zimbabwe.

Also, for full coverage of the World Cup, click here.

#INDvsZIM Tweets