O-ho Olongo Zimbabwe defeats India by three runs Click here for more on this story Posted: Monday June 28, 1999 05:00 PM   Henry Olonga of Zimbabwe (right) celebrates the dismissal of Venkatesh Prasad of India during their World Cup match. Mike Hewitt/Allsport LEICESTER, England (CNN/SI) -- Zimbabwe defeated India by three runs Wednesday in a Group A match of the World Cup that see-sawed through the day until the final over when medium pacer Henry Olonga took three wickets for three runs. Replying to Zimbabwe's 252, India was dismissed for 249 in 45 overs, with one over remaining. India had been penalized four overs after bowling slow and failing to finish the fifty over in the time given. India also lost its initial World Cup match against South Africa while Zimbabwe had won its first encounter with Kenya. India started by scoring briskly, but lost wickets regularly. In the 10th over although India had scored 53 runs, it had also lost three wickets. India was allowed only 46 overs to reach the target because it had not bowled its 50 overs in the allotted time. In the 34th over, when India needed 75 runs in 72 balls, Nayan Mongia took charge with explosive batting to score 28 in 26 balls. Playing across the line, he was bowled in the 41st over. India at that point needed 34 runs in 30 balls. In came No. 9 Javagal Srinath to partner Robin Singh. Srinath also opened with a six. Another cracking six that arched low over the midwicket reduced the target to 10 runs from 16 balls. With seven runs needed and nine balls remaining, Robin Singh tried a poor shot to be caught at mid off by Alistair Campbell off Olonga. Srinath, and new man Anil Kumble then took three desperate runs. With four runs now needed from eight balls, Srinath was bowled by Olonga for 18. Last man in was Venkatesh Prasad who now faced the last ball of Olonga's over. The ball rapped Prasad on the pads in front of the wicket and umpire Peter Willey's finger went up. Zimbabwe had won a stunning victory over the favorites, who were also backed by a large number of Indian spectators. India also suffered from the absence of star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, returned to India following his father's death in Bombay on Tuesday. At one point, it looked that India might take the match as opener Sadagoppan Ramesh and vice captain Ajay Jadeja shared a 100-run partnership. It ended in the 28th over when Ramesh mis-timed a delivery by off-spinner Grant Flower to give an easy catch to Murray Goodwin at mid on after scoring 55. Jadeja, who made 43, and Singh added 19 runs in the next six overs when Heath Streak had Jadeja trapped leg before the wicket while playing front foot. His 43 came in 77 balls. Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin had won the toss and put Zimbabwe in to bat -- a decision that backfired as the Africans raced to 252 for nine off 50 overs with the help of an unbeaten 68 by Andy Flower. Sloppy Indian fielding and wayward bowling contributed 50 extras.   Related information Stories Real work begins for Zimbabwe against India Zimbabwe coasts to victory against Kenya India hopeful of Tendulkar's quick return Indian punters spend millions on World Cup betting South Africa opens World Cup campaign with a win Stats Profiles: Zimbabwe Profiles: India Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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