Summary Dhawan eventually hit 11 fours and two sixes to lift world champion India to a hefty 294-8.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Shikhar Dhawan made a century and built a 167-run partnership with Dinesh Karthik to save India s innings and set Zimbabwe 295 to win the second one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Stand-in captain Virat Kohli s disputed dismissal for 14 contributed to India being 65-4 and in trouble before left-hander opener Dhawan made 116 off 127 balls. He found a partner in Karthik, who made 69 off 74 balls in their game-changing fifth-wicket stand.
Dhawan recorded his third ODI century having been dropped by Zimbabwe captain and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor on 13 and again by Malcolm Waller in the deep on 70. Dhawan eventually hit 11 fours and two sixes to lift world champion India to a hefty 294-8 following the Zimbabwean bowlers initial success.
After the Dhawan-Karthik partnership was broken, tailender Vinay Kumar smashed 27 from 12 balls to put India just short of 300. Mohammed Shami hit spinner Sean Williams for a towering six over mid-on for six off his only delivery, the last of the innings, as India plundered 23 in the final over despite Ravindra Jadeja being dismissed off its first ball.
Zimbabwe won the toss and seized the chance to put India s batsmen under pressure in moist early conditions. Rohit Sharma fell second over, caught at slip for 1, and Kohli was out to a catch at mid-on despite doubting it was taken cleanly. Waller dived forward to scoop the ball up at ground level and Kohli was given out after it was referred to the TV umpire.
The new skipper did not agree with the decision.
Newcomer Ambati Rayudu struggled for his 5 from 25 balls and was the second of recalled seamer Brian Vitori s two wickets. Suresh Raina made just 4 as the recent Champions Trophy winner and top-ranked ODI team slipped to 65-4.
Dhawan and Karthik then rescued the innings, but Dhawan survived a regulation edge behind to Taylor and also a fairly straightforward chance in the deep when he swept straight at Waller on the square leg boundary and the ball went right through the fielder s hands. Dhawan added another 46 runs.
