<p>Barcelona entered the finals of Copa Del Rey&nbsp;after defeating Valencia in the second leg of semi-finals on Thursday at Mestalla.</p>

<p>Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal for the team and&nbsp;opened his account for Barcelona.</p>

<p>The Brazilian super start made an impact by netting the ball in the 47th minute of the game, just within 4 minutes after his introduction to the game.</p>

<p>Phil teamed up with his former Liverpool buddy Luis Suarez and converted a excellent cross to put the holders 1-0 up and after that Ivan Rakitic scored in the 87th minute to take an unescapable lead to enter the finals of Copa Del Rey with a high.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">????⚽ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaBar&ccedil;a</a><br />
???? [Valencia v Bar&ccedil;a]<br />
???????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#For&ccedil;aBar&ccedil;a</a> <a href="https://t.co/8zebzrThhI">pic.twitter.com/8zebzrThhI</a></p>
&mdash; FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/961747765977075713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;For me it is my first final, so it is a very special moment,&quot; Coutinho told Spanish TV station Gol.</p>

<p>&quot;I am very happy. I had been searching for this goal in my first few matches. Today I got it and it helped the team get through to the final,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Earlier, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde had opted for Andre Gomes instead of Coutinho but amid the game the coach&nbsp;replaced ineffective Gomes in the second half with the 160 million-euro worth Coutinho.</p>

<p>Winners of the trophy in each of the last three campaigns, the Catalans will face Sevilla in the final set for the weekend of April 21 and 22 as Sevilla beat Leganes 2-0 on Wednesday to go through 3-1 on aggregate.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">???? Coutinho: &quot;I feel happy to have scored my first goal for Bar&ccedil;a and have helped the team get to the final. It&#39;s a special moment&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaBar&ccedil;a</a> <a href="https://t.co/5Ua0ZvDxGb">pic.twitter.com/5Ua0ZvDxGb</a></p>
&mdash; FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/961737158347427840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


"For me it is my first final, so it is a very special moment," said Coutinho after the match

Barcelona entered the finals of Copa Del Rey after defeating Valencia in the second leg of semi-finals on Thursday at Mestalla. Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal for the team and opened his account for Barcelona. The Brazilian super start made an impact by netting the ball in the 47th minute of the game, just within 4 minutes after his introduction to the game. Phil teamed up with his former Liverpool buddy Luis Suarez and converted a excellent cross to put the holders 1-0 up and after that Ivan Rakitic scored in the 87th minute to take an unescapable lead to enter the finals of Copa Del Rey with a high. ????⚽ #CopaBarça ???? [Valencia v Barça] ???????? #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/8zebzrThhI — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 8, 2018 × "For me it is my first final, so it is a very special moment," Coutinho told Spanish TV station Gol. "I am very happy. I had been searching for this goal in my first few matches. Today I got it and it helped the team get through to the final," he added. Earlier, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde had opted for Andre Gomes instead of Coutinho but amid the game the coach replaced ineffective Gomes in the second half with the 160 million-euro worth Coutinho. Winners of the trophy in each of the last three campaigns, the Catalans will face Sevilla in the final set for the weekend of April 21 and 22 as Sevilla beat Leganes 2-0 on Wednesday to go through 3-1 on aggregate. ???? Coutinho: "I feel happy to have scored my first goal for Barça and have helped the team get to the final. It's a special moment" #CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/5Ua0ZvDxGb — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 8, 2018 ×

Barcelona enters Copa del Rey final, Coutinho scores opener

<p>Defending champion Pusarla Venkata Sindhu of India stormed into the final of the India Open badminton tournament Saturday to set up a title clash with American Beiwen Zhang in New Delhi.</p>

<p>Top-seeded Sindhu, 22, eased past third-seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-13, 21-15 in the semi-final that lasted 48 minutes.</p>

<p>The lanky Sindhu displayed admirable maturity against former world No.1 Intanon in the last-four encounter, as she dominated proceedings in front of a raucous home crowd.</p>

<p>Earlier, fifth-seed Zhang&nbsp;had a tough outing against Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong but prevailed 14-21, 21-12, 21-19.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a> PV Sindhu enters Women&#39;s single final in India Open Badminton defeating Ratchanok Intanon by 21-13, 21-15 in semi final (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/lEWjHXLf6s">pic.twitter.com/lEWjHXLf6s</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/959842551707598850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In men&#39;s action, China&#39;s Shi Yuqi staved off stiff competition from Iskandar Zulkarnain to enter the finals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament.</p>

<p>The fourth-seeded Yuqi set up an exciting title clash with Taiwan&#39;s Chou Tien Chen, who beat Qiao Bin of China 23-21, 21-16.</p>

<p>But Yuqi was pushed to the limit in the semi-final that lasted one hour and nine minutes before getting past Zulkarnain of Malaysia 18-21, 21-10, 21-19.</p>

<p>Zulkarnain, who came in as a qualifier, got past some top names in the league stage including home favourite and second-seed Kidambi Srikanth in the last-16 clash.</p>

<p>The tournament saw top women shuttlers falter with India&#39;s Saina Nehwal and Carolina Marin of Spain losing out in the quarter-finals.</p>

<p>World number one Viktor Axelsen also pulled out on the eve of the $350,000 tournament, taking some sheen out of the men&#39;s field.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Top-seeded Sindhu, 22, eased past third-seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-13, 21-15 in the semi-final that lasted 48 minutes

Defending champion Pusarla Venkata Sindhu of India stormed into the final of the India Open badminton tournament Saturday to set up a title clash with American Beiwen Zhang in New Delhi. Top-seeded Sindhu, 22, eased past third-seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-13, 21-15 in the semi-final that lasted 48 minutes. The lanky Sindhu displayed admirable maturity against former world No.1 Intanon in the last-four encounter, as she dominated proceedings in front of a raucous home crowd. Earlier, fifth-seed Zhang had a tough outing against Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong but prevailed 14-21, 21-12, 21-19. #FLASH PV Sindhu enters Women's single final in India Open Badminton defeating Ratchanok Intanon by 21-13, 21-15 in semi final (File pic) pic.twitter.com/lEWjHXLf6s — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2018 × In men's action, China's Shi Yuqi staved off stiff competition from Iskandar Zulkarnain to enter the finals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament. The fourth-seeded Yuqi set up an exciting title clash with Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen, who beat Qiao Bin of China 23-21, 21-16. But Yuqi was pushed to the limit in the semi-final that lasted one hour and nine minutes before getting past Zulkarnain of Malaysia 18-21, 21-10, 21-19. Zulkarnain, who came in as a qualifier, got past some top names in the league stage including home favourite and second-seed Kidambi Srikanth in the last-16 clash. The tournament saw top women shuttlers falter with India's Saina Nehwal and Carolina Marin of Spain losing out in the quarter-finals. World number one Viktor Axelsen also pulled out on the eve of the $350,000 tournament, taking some sheen out of the men's field.

PV Sindhu enters India Open badminton final, foils Intanon in semi-final

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/u-19-final-manjot-kalras-ton-takes-india-to-historic-fourth-world-cup-title-31660" target="_blank">India defeated three times World Champions Australia</a> by 8 wickets to register a memorable World Cup triumph in Mount Maunganui, Bay Oval, on Saturday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Manjot Kalra played the most crucial knock of his career so far, smacking an unbeaten 101 to power India to their fourth ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup win.</p>

<p>As the ecstatic players celebrated India&#39;s fourth World Cup title, Indians took to their Twitter handles to congratulate the team for scripting history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wishes poured in from every corner of the country, but the first among the wishes were of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, followed by former run-machine Sehwag and many prominent personalities.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WITH GREAT TEAM WORK, BIG DREAMS WORK. Congratulations to our WORLD CHAMPIONS!! We are proud of you. A big congratulations to Rahul and Paras for their guidance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCU19CWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICCU19CWC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/w0heorY8g6">pic.twitter.com/w0heorY8g6</a></p>
&mdash; Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/959702494384394240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Every Indian is delighted, all credit to Rahul Dravid for committing himself to these young kids ,and a legend like him deserves to lay his hands on the WC. Only Fitting. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a></p>
&mdash; Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) <a href="https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/959698117150105600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One of the strongest U-19 teams we have ever seen. Outplaying every opponent they faced . They came, they saw, they conquered ????????. Special mentions to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RahulDravid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RahulDravid</a> Sir for inspiring this solid bunch of youngsters ???? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Champions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Champions</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U19WorldCupFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U19WorldCupFinal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FutureStars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FutureStars</a></p>
&mdash; Karun Nair (@karun126) <a href="https://twitter.com/karun126/status/959698829065924608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When was the last time a world event ended up being dominated so much by one team? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCU19CWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICCU19CWC</a></p>
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/959694240749146112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations Superstars!! It was definitely a result of a lot of hard work put together, no doubt. You guys were incredible from ball one of the tournament. Cherish these moments, celebrate hard, You guys deserved it ???????? IndVsAus <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U19WorldCupFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U19WorldCupFinal</a></p>
&mdash; Murali Vijay (@mvj888) <a href="https://twitter.com/mvj888/status/959701079859646464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My lord that off drive from Shubman Gill! Frame that and put it in a museum already! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Class?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Class</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U19WCFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U19WCFinal</a></p>
&mdash; Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) <a href="https://twitter.com/gauravkapur/status/959674694105317376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to the young lads on winning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U19CWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U19CWC</a>! Fantastic performances all around. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a></p>
&mdash; Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) <a href="https://twitter.com/anilkumble1074/status/959702119266824192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Former Australian cricketer&nbsp;Dean Jones also congratulated the Men in Blue on their stellar performance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Well done India on winning your 4th U19 World Cup! Superbly coached by Rahul.. bad luck to our boys... good effort! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U19WCFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U19WCFinal</a></p>
&mdash; Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/959698597825593344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Chasing a modest 217 to win, India cruised past the target with as many as 67 balls to spare. Harvik Desai remained unbeaten on 47, whereas Shubman Gill had a rare failure as he fell for 31.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Indians took to their Twitter handles to congratulate the team for scripting history

India defeated three times World Champions Australia by 8 wickets to register a memorable World Cup triumph in Mount Maunganui, Bay Oval, on Saturday. Manjot Kalra played the most crucial knock of his career so far, smacking an unbeaten 101 to power India to their fourth ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup win. As the ecstatic players celebrated India's fourth World Cup title, Indians took to their Twitter handles to congratulate the team for scripting history. Wishes poured in from every corner of the country, but the first among the wishes were of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, followed by former run-machine Sehwag and many prominent personalities. WITH GREAT TEAM WORK, BIG DREAMS WORK. Congratulations to our WORLD CHAMPIONS!! We are proud of you. A big congratulations to Rahul and Paras for their guidance. #ICCU19CWC #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/w0heorY8g6 — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 3, 2018 × Every Indian is delighted, all credit to Rahul Dravid for committing himself to these young kids ,and a legend like him deserves to lay his hands on the WC. Only Fitting. #INDvAUS — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 3, 2018 × One of the strongest U-19 teams we have ever seen. Outplaying every opponent they faced . They came, they saw, they conquered ????????. Special mentions to #RahulDravid Sir for inspiring this solid bunch of youngsters ???? #Champions #U19WorldCupFinal #FutureStars — Karun Nair (@karun126) February 3, 2018 × When was the last time a world event ended up being dominated so much by one team? #ICCU19CWC — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 3, 2018 × Congratulations Superstars!! It was definitely a result of a lot of hard work put together, no doubt. You guys were incredible from ball one of the tournament. Cherish these moments, celebrate hard, You guys deserved it ???????? IndVsAus #U19WorldCupFinal — Murali Vijay (@mvj888) February 3, 2018 × My lord that off drive from Shubman Gill! Frame that and put it in a museum already! #Class #U19WCFinal — Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) February 3, 2018 × Congratulations to the young lads on winning #U19CWC! Fantastic performances all around. #INDvAUS — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) February 3, 2018 × Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones also congratulated the Men in Blue on their stellar performance. Well done India on winning your 4th U19 World Cup! Superbly coached by Rahul.. bad luck to our boys... good effort! #U19WCFinal — Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) February 3, 2018 × Chasing a modest 217 to win, India cruised past the target with as many as 67 balls to spare. Harvik Desai remained unbeaten on 47, whereas Shubman Gill had a rare failure as he fell for 31.

With great teamwork, big dreams work: Tendulkar to U-19 World Champions

<p>Argentines German Ballejo and Magdalena Gutierrez brought home on Tuesday (August 22) the first place trophy in the&nbsp;salon, or pisto,&nbsp;tango&nbsp;category of the 2017&nbsp;Tango&nbsp;World Cup.</p>

<p>The soulful, dramatic dance at Buenos Aires&#39; Luna Park stadium is a highlight of the annual festival that celebrates the traditional song and dance of the South American nation.</p>

<p>Buenos Aires natives Ballejo and Gutierrez won with 9.450 points awarded by the seven-member jury while Jose Luis Salvo and Carla Rossi, also from Buenos Aires, took second place.</p>

<p>Almost 500 couples entered the competition and 41 reached the final in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires.</p>

<p>The winners received a $60,000 prize and a trip to Paris.</p>


The soulful, dramatic dance at Buenos Aires' Luna Park stadium is a highlight of the annual festival that celebrates the traditional song and dance of the South American nation

Argentines German Ballejo and Magdalena Gutierrez brought home on Tuesday (August 22) the first place trophy in the salon, or pisto, tango category of the 2017 Tango World Cup. The soulful, dramatic dance at Buenos Aires' Luna Park stadium is a highlight of the annual festival that celebrates the traditional song and dance of the South American nation. Buenos Aires natives Ballejo and Gutierrez won with 9.450 points awarded by the seven-member jury while Jose Luis Salvo and Carla Rossi, also from Buenos Aires, took second place. Almost 500 couples entered the competition and 41 reached the final in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. The winners received a $60,000 prize and a trip to Paris.

Argentine couple wins The Salon Tango 2017 World Cup

Football threw up another unlikely hero on Sunday when journeyman professional Eder scored the goal that won Euro 2016 for Portugal.<br />
<br />
Coach Fernando Santos said the &quot;ugly duckling has become beautiful&quot; after Eder, jeered by Portugal fans during a game in March, fired in a long-range goal 11 minutes from the end of extra-time to give Portugal an unexpected 1-0 win.<br />
<br />
Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated the Portuguese team for the last decade but, after the three-times world player of the year limped off injured, it was the 28-year-old Eder, born in Guinea-Bissau, who stole the headlines.<br />
<br />
Eder played 13 games for English Premier League Swansea City without scoring a goal last season before being loaned to French club Lille.<br />
<br />
&quot;I felt that Fernando Santos knows about my qualities ever since the day the squad was named,&quot; Eder told reporters. &quot;He put his confidence in me and today, I paid him back. I&#39;m very happy.&quot;<br />
<br />
His presence in the 23-man squad was in doubt until the very last minute and his goal on Sunday was only his fourth in 29 international appearances.<br />
<br />
Eder is one of five members of the Portuguese squad who were born outside Europe along with Danilo (Guinea Bissau), Pepe (Brazil), Nani (Cape Verde) and William Carvalho (Angola).<br />
<br />
Full name Ederzito Antonio Macedo Lopes, he has never played for any of the big three clubs in his homeland.<br />
<br />
After starting his career with third tier side Tourizense, he moved on to Academica Coimbra for four seasons before spending three seasons with slightly less unfashionable Braga.<br />
<br />
He made his international debut against Azerbaijan in 2014 but since then has only been a fringe player.<br />
<br />
Eder was brought on in the 79th minute of Sunday&#39;s game after Santos decided he needed a more physical presence in attack.<br />
<br />
&quot;I understood that Eder was the player who had to come on to hold up the ball in attack and create problems for France in the air,&quot; Santos said.<br />
<br />
&quot;When he went on, he said he would score the goal, and he did. He deserves congratulations. The ugly duckling turned into a beautiful one.&quot;<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Portuguese coach Fernando Santos says of goalscorer Eder, whose presence in the 23-man squad was in doubt till the very last minute

Football threw up another unlikely hero on Sunday when journeyman professional Eder scored the goal that won Euro 2016 for Portugal. Coach Fernando Santos said the "ugly duckling has become beautiful" after Eder, jeered by Portugal fans during a game in March, fired in a long-range goal 11 minutes from the end of extra-time to give Portugal an unexpected 1-0 win. Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated the Portuguese team for the last decade but, after the three-times world player of the year limped off injured, it was the 28-year-old Eder, born in Guinea-Bissau, who stole the headlines. Eder played 13 games for English Premier League Swansea City without scoring a goal last season before being loaned to French club Lille. "I felt that Fernando Santos knows about my qualities ever since the day the squad was named," Eder told reporters. "He put his confidence in me and today, I paid him back. I'm very happy." His presence in the 23-man squad was in doubt until the very last minute and his goal on Sunday was only his fourth in 29 international appearances. Eder is one of five members of the Portuguese squad who were born outside Europe along with Danilo (Guinea Bissau), Pepe (Brazil), Nani (Cape Verde) and William Carvalho (Angola). Full name Ederzito Antonio Macedo Lopes, he has never played for any of the big three clubs in his homeland. After starting his career with third tier side Tourizense, he moved on to Academica Coimbra for four seasons before spending three seasons with slightly less unfashionable Braga. He made his international debut against Azerbaijan in 2014 but since then has only been a fringe player. Eder was brought on in the 79th minute of Sunday's game after Santos decided he needed a more physical presence in attack. "I understood that Eder was the player who had to come on to hold up the ball in attack and create problems for France in the air," Santos said. "When he went on, he said he would score the goal, and he did. He deserves congratulations. The ugly duckling turned into a beautiful one." (Reuters)

The 'ugly duckling has become beautiful'

India, powered by seamer Jasprit Bumrah&#39;s 4-22, crushed Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in third and final One-day International (ODI) series whitewash at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Zimbabwe made five changes for the third and final ODI, but it made no difference as they were bowled out for 123.<br />
<br />
India required less than 22 overs to chase a target of 124, as Lokesh Rahul made an unbeaten 63 and Faiz Fazal marked his international debut with 55 not out.<br />
<br />
The two teams begin a three-match Twenty20 international series at the same venue on Saturday.<br />
<br />
(AFP)

KL Rahul made an unbeaten 63, Faiz Fazal marked his international debut with a 55 not out

India, powered by seamer Jasprit Bumrah's 4-22, crushed Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in third and final One-day International (ODI) series whitewash at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. Zimbabwe made five changes for the third and final ODI, but it made no difference as they were bowled out for 123. India required less than 22 overs to chase a target of 124, as Lokesh Rahul made an unbeaten 63 and Faiz Fazal marked his international debut with 55 not out. The two teams begin a three-match Twenty20 international series at the same venue on Saturday. (AFP)

India thrash Zimbabwe in third ODI, win series 3-0

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