India Zimbabwe Most runs Sanjay Manjrekar (104) | Captains Mohammad Azharuddin Most wickets Manoj Prabhakar (4) | |
Dates 15 October 1992 – 25 October 1992 Result 1-match series drawn 0–0 | ||
The Indian cricket team toured Zimbabwe between 15–25 October 1992. The series was played as a prelude for India's tour of South Africa, and included just one Test match and one One Day International (ODI).
The series began with a 50-over warm-up match, which the touring Indians won by 16 runs over the "Zimbabwe Cricket Union President's XI". The subsequent Test match was Zimbabwe's first, and finished as a draw, with Wisden Cricketers' Almanack criticising the "lifeless pitch", which meant that "both [bowling] attacks were rendered innocuous". By drawing the match, Zimbabwe became the first team to avoid defeat in their inaugural Test match since Australia won the very first Test match in 1877. The Test match was the first to have three designated umpires, with Dickie Bird being assisted by Zimbabweans Kantilal Kanjee and Ian Robinson on alternate days. Zimbabwe's captain, David Houghton top-scored for his side in their first innings, scoring the country's maiden Test century of 121. India's Sanjay Manjrekar hit 104 during India's reply, in which John Traicos, who had previously played for South Africa took five wickets. Zimbabwe established a 149-run first innings lead, but the match ended as a draw after 66 overs of Zimbabwe's second innings.
In the solitary ODI, India won by 30 runs. Manjrekar was once again their best batsman, scoring 70 runs at a run-a-ball. Gary Crocker took four wickets for Zimbabwe, but both Mark Burmester and Grant Flower were expensive, conceding over six runs per over during their bowling spells. Despite half-centuries from Crocker and Andy Flower, Zimbabwe were bowled out thirty runs short of their target.
Following the series, India travelled to South Africa, becoming the first team to tour the country for 23 years after an international boycott due to the country's apartheid policies, while Zimbabwe hosted New Zealand. Zimbabwe achieved their first victory in Test cricket the following summer, when they beat the touring Pakistan team.