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).

[2] Wisden Cricketers' Almanack criticised the "lifeless pitch" in the Test match, saying "both [bowling] attacks were rendered innocuous".

[3] Zimbabwe's captain, David Houghton top-scored for his side in their first innings, scoring the country's maiden Test century of 121.

[5] The Indians were reduced to 76/5 after being put in to bat first, losing Mohammad Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar and Sanjay Manjrekar cheaply.

Vice-captain Ravi Shastri then joined by Pravin Amre put together 47 runs for the sixth wicket helping their team go past 200.

Shastri also shone with the ball returning figures of 2/21 in his ten overs restricting Zimbabwe Cricket Union President's XI 17 short of the target.

[7][4] Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, and India struggled to bowl for the first two days, lacking match practice and still adjusting to the altitude in Harare.

Though Houghton, a mainstay in Zimbabwe's team, was known for aggressive batting, he curbed his instincts to score a slow maiden Test century.

He took five wickets for 86 runs in 50 overs, the best bowling figures of the match, but Zimbabwe lost the initiative when they decided to take a new ball, switching from Traicos to their seam bowlers.

The Flower brothers (Andy and Grant) opened the batting for Zimbabwe and got them off to a good start, but after the middle order collapsed only Gary Crocker showed any resistance against the Indian bowlers.