The two kept India in the fight after Zimbabwe paceman Henry Olonga had ripped apart the top order with a four-wicket haul. India, chasing 206 for a win were tottering at 104 for six before Chopra and Robin came together. After Chopra was run out for 39, Ajit Agarkar provided excellent support to Robin Singh (49 n.o). However, Agarkar was stumped for 14, Sunil Joshi (0) ran himself out and India lost by 13 runs.

Reputed to be the fastest bowler in Zimbabwe, Olonga started the rout by tapping Saurav Ganguly in front with his very first ball. Next over he had Rahul Dravid snicking to the slips.

Even Sachin Tendulkar had to hurry on his defence. Olonga opened up Tendulkar and had him snicking a no-ball to thewicket-keeper.Off the very next delivery he was sensationally dismissed. Olonga's short-pitched delivery was directed to Tendulkar's throat and the latter managed only to fend it away and lobbed an easy catch to short point.

India, tottering at 28 for three, lost Laxman to a run out. Later, Olonga, who had a first spell of four overs (4-0-14-3) returned for a second spell andclaimed Ajay Jadeja.

Earlier, India rested skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble while Zimbabwe left out Eddo Brandes, Heath Streak and Paul Strang.India, led by Jadeja opted to field first in front of a sparse gathering and gained early inroads.

Skipper Alistair Campbell, Gavin Rennie and Whittal all hung around and helped the side get to the 200-mark. Campbell worked himself into a batting form that should stand him in good stead for the final.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe: Wishart run out 0 (8b); G Flower c Joshi b Prasad 6 (25b, 1x4); Johnson b Robin Singh 18 (27b, 1x6); Goodwin run out 13 (24b, 1x4); AFlower c Chopra b Joshi 11 (17b, 1x4); Alistair Campbell not out 85 (110b, 5x4, 2x6); Rennie c Dravid b Joshi 28 (46b, 1x6); A Whittal b Tendulkar 29 (45b, 1x6, 1x4); Huckle not out 2 (3b); Extras (3lb, 9w, 3nb): 15. Total (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) 205

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Wishart); 2-9 (G Flower); 3-33 (Johnson); 4-46 (Goodwin); 5-65 (A Flower); 6-120 (Rennie); 7-201 (Whittal)Bowling: Agarkar 10-1-41-0 (3w); Prasad 10-2-42-1 (2nb 3w); Robin Singh 5-0-33-1 (1nb); Nikhil Chopra 10-1-24-0; Sunil Joshi 9-0-43-2 (2w); Tendulkar 5-0-14-1; Laxman 1-0-5-0 (1w)

India: Ganguly lbw Olonga 1 (2b); Tendulkar c G Flower b Olonga 11 (12b, 2x4); Dravid c Johnson b Olonga 3 (13b); Jadeja c Goodwin b Olonga 26 (58b, 3x4); Laxman run out 11 (38b); Robin Singh not out 49 (75b, 2x4), Mongia run out 10 (23b); Chopra run out 39 (62b, 3x4); Agarkar st A Flower b Whittal 14 (9b, 2x4); Joshi run out 0 (2b); Prasad c A Flower b Johnson 2 (5b); Extras (4lb, 10w, 12nb): 26. Total (all out in 47.4 overs) 192Fall ofwickets: 1-10 (Ganguly); 2-19 (Dravid); 3-28 (Tendulkar); 4-48 (Laxman); 5-75 (Jadeja); 6-104 (Mongia); 7-159 (Chopra); 8-186 (Agarkar); 9-186 (Joshi)

Bowling: Johnson 8.4-1-36-1 (5nb); Olonga 8-0-46-4 (8w, 4nb); Mbangwa 10-0-33-0 (1w); Huckle 10-0-39-0 (3nb); Goodwin 2-0-12-0 (1w); Whittal 9-1-22-1.