Summary The match is the first in a three-match series.
HARARE (AFP) - A career-best 124 not out from Ambati Rayudu allowed India to recover from a shaky start and post 255 for six in the first one-day international against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Some disciplined bowling in helpful conditions saw Zimbabwe reduce the tourists to 87 for five inside the opening 25 overs, but Rayudu s record stand with all-rounder Stuart Binny guided a second-string Indian side to a competitive total.
The pair shared a 160-run partnership for the sixth wicket -- a record for India in Zimbabwe -- as Binny notched up his maiden one-day fifty.
Binny was eventually caught behind in the penultimate over of the innings for 77 from 76 balls.
With the game getting underway at 9am local time (0700 GMT), the hosts found some lateral movement as well as healthy bounce off the pitch, which Chamu Chibhabha used to take 2 for 25 as he bowled 10 overs on the trot.
However, once the pitch flattened out and the spinners came on, Rayudu counterpunched to good effect.
The new ICC playing conditions allowed five fielders outside the circle in the final 10 overs, but India still managed to score 90 runs in that period to reach a respectable score.
The match is the first in a three-match series.
