Ambati Rayudu © PTI
Ambati Rayudu scores his sixth One-Day International (ODI) fifty for India during the first match match of the five-match series against Zimbabwe at Harare. Rayudu came in at a time when India had lost opening batsman Murali Vijay early. He then stitched a 51-run stand with his skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who had opened the batting for India alongside Vijay. Live Blog: India vs Zimbabwe 2015, 1st ODI at Harare
Rayudu will now hope that he stays till the end of the innings. He is at the crease along with all-rounder Stuart Binny. A lot will rest on the shoulders of these two batsmen to get India off to a good score. Rayudu, having given a rare chance in the playing XI will want to make the most of this opportunity and post a huge score. Live scorecard: India vs Zimbabwe 2015, 1st ODI at Harare
Earlier, Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bowl first. Zimbabwe will be happy that their decision has paid off as they have India reeling at the moment. Rayudu is the only hope for them from here on. India have a second-string side touring Zimbabwe as they have rested most of the senior players. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been named in the playing XI for India for the first time in four years.