Dropped catch costs Zimbabwe

Harare - Kedar Jadhav made Zimbabwe pay for a woeful dropped catch as his unbeaten century powered India to an 83-run victory in the third one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday and a series whitewash.

Jadhav was on 41 when Elton Chigumbura put down the simplest of chances off the bowling of Graeme Cremer, and the Indian batsman went on to score his maiden ton in just his fourth ODI as India posted 276 for five after being put in to bat.

The feat gave Indian cricket something to cheer about on the day that two Indian Premier League franchises were suspended for two years and two officials were banned for life for their part in the 2013 fixing scandal.

While Jadhav finished on 105 not out from 87 balls, Manish Pandey also provided a good news story as he made 71 on his long-awaited international debut - the fourth-highest score by an Indian debutant in ODIs.

The pair allowed India to recover from the precarious position of 82 for four as they shared in a 144-run stand for the fifth wicket.

"It was good that Manish was going nicely so it gave me some time to adjust to the wicket. Later on when I got set I played some shots," said Jadhav.

"I told myself that whenever I get going, I will stay to the last and make sure that my team wins. I'm happy to have done that today."

Pandey's 86-ball knock came to an end when he holed out to long-on, but Jadhav helped India add 50 runs in the last 19 balls of the innings and in the process reached his century off 86 deliveries.

As he had in the second ODI, Chamu Chibhabha provided the sole bright spot in Zimbabwe's reply, scoring 82 as the hosts were bowled out for 193 in 42.4 overs.

The next highest score for Zimbabwe was Regis Chakabva's 27, as Stuart Binny swung the ball viciously on his way to figures of 3 for 55 in 10 overs.

Mohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Axar Patel provided excellent back-up and each took two wickets, leaving the Zimbabweans to reflect on a ninth straight defeat in completed ODIs.

"We are looking to improve, so please bear with us," coach Dav Whatmore said. "We are trying really hard to get it right and we will need a bit more time."

The two teams will now take part in a two-match Twenty20 series that starts at the same ground on Friday.