Dhoni unleashes another big hit during his quickfire 56

Zimbabwe capitulated to 65 all out as India coasted to a 161-run victory in the triangular series in Harare.

India lost two early wickets and were grateful to Mohammad Kaif, who made a watchful 65, and Mahendra Dhoni, who hit four sixes in an explosive 56.

That took the India total to 226-6 but by the 15th over of the Zimbabwean reply the score was 38-8, as paceman Irfan Pathan claimed 5-27.

Heath Streak hit two fours in a final wicket stand of 22, Zimbabwe's highest.

Kaif's innings was particularly valuable to India, who lost Venugopal Rao for a duck in the first over of the match.

It continued the misfortune for the Indian team, beaten by New Zealand in their first match of the series, after Virender Sehwag was forced to withdraw because of a fever.

Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid also fell cheaply, and it needed the powerful hitting of wicket-keeper Dhoni to make the score respectable.

Medium-pacer Anthony Ireland was the most successful Zimbabwean bowler, picking up 3-54 from his 10 overs.

Coventry is beaten all ends up by the pace of Parthan

As it turned out, 226 was more than enough, with the Zimbabwe top five all failing to reach double figures.

Four players fell for ducks, and it was left to last man Prosper Utseya to join Streak and take the score past 50.

Having just hit his second boundary, Utseya was deceived by a quicker one from Harbhajan and lobbed up a bat and pad catch to Dravid at slip.

"We couldn't hit the straight ball," said Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who led his team to a 192-run defeat in the opening game of the series against New Zealand.

"There is so much work to do."

Captain Ganguly hopes India can improve certain aspects of their batting before they take on the Kiwis on Friday.

"We batted quite well, but we need to get partnerships together at the top of the innings," he said.

Exasperated Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran was also fiercely critical of his players after the batting debacle.

"We lost six wickets in the first 13 overs and you will struggle to come back from that," he said. "Loose shots cost us dearly.

"It wasn't the type of fight I'd like to see in any teams that I coach."

Curran was under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of him.

"The work ethic hasn't been there, and it's going to be a tough job in the coming months," he said. "A lot of these players have lacked coaching at this level."