Scenario:

December 14, 2000 – This was India’s final ODI of the series against the very formidable Zimbabwe of those days. Man of the series Sourav Ganguly was rested for this match as India secured the series 3-1. Rahul Dravid led the team in this encounter. Earlier Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak won the toss and elect to field on what looked like a good batting surface at Rajkot.

India were not off to a great start as they lost both openers S Sriram (2) and Sachin Tendulkar (27) along with captain Rahul Dravid (6) early as the team was reduced to 42/3 in 12.2 overs. The team faced another blow in another 8 overs time losing Yuvraj Singh for 29 runs – Scorecard read India 84/4.

The fight back

Things got worse when Virender Sehwag who came in to bat at no.6 in that match was dismissed for 19 runs – India 114/5. This left India with the very reliable Hemang Badani and all rounder Reetinder Sodhi at the crease. The combo resurrected the innings with a cautious but neatly put 102 run partnership for the 7th wicket.

Hemang Badani top scored for Team India with a 77 in 99 balls. His knock has just 2 Fours and 1 Six which was understandable given the situation. A very crucial knock indeed. India were 216/6 when he departed.

Ajit Agarkar’s Fastest ODI 50 for India

Known for his knack to swing the ball both ways, Ajit Agarkar was India’s answer for a fast-bowling all-rounder in the first decade of the new millennium. With not much batting to follow the team trusted to send in Agarkar ahead of wicket keeper Vijay Dahiya to bat at 216/6

Ajit Agarkar’s batting display came to the fore as he went berserk powering India to 269/6 in 48 overs with the support of Reetinder Sodhi at the other end. Agarkar was on 42* in 18 balls by then. The 49th over was bowled by captain Heath Streak – conceding 11 runs which pushed Agarkar to 47 in 20 balls. He is now one hit away from recording the fastest ODI 50 by an Indian in ODIs.

With one over still in the tank for pacer Mluleki Nkala, Zimbabwe decided to give the ball to part timer Alistair Campbell in the final over. Ajit Agarkar wasted no time as he reached the milestone with a four as he notched it up in 21 balls – the new Indian record for the fastest One Day International half-century. To make things more miserable for Zimababwe, Agarkar dispatched the last two deliveries out of the park – helping India finish with a score of 301/6 which looked no where near possible at the half way stage of the match.

Sodhi (53* in 67 balls – 4 Fours & 1 Six) and Agarkar (67* in 25 balls – 7 Fours & 4 Sixes) put on a partnership of 85 from just 39 balls. Agarkar followed up his batting display with a crucial 3 wicket haul with wickets including the very important Andy Flower and Douglas Marillier. India went on to win the game by 39 runs as Zimbabwe fought well to put on 262 in 47.4 overs. India clinched the ODI series 4-1.

Match:

India v Zimbabwe, 5th ODI – December 14, 2000

Venue:

Rajkot, India.

Toss:

Zimbabwe won the toss and put India to bat

Player of the Match:

Ajit Agarkar 67*(25) & 3-26

Record:

Fastest ODI 50 for Team India in 21 balls.