Opener Shikhar Dhawan took advantage of the three lives handed to him during the Indian innings as his 116 powered the tourists to an imposing total in the second one-day international against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Dhawan was caught off a no-ball and then dropped twice on the way to his third one-day century, which helped India post 8-294 after they were put in to bat by Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor.
Having gained the right to bowl first in helpful conditions, Zimbabwe produced a ramshackle performance in the field and conceded 15 wides and eight no-balls in the innings.
Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were dismissed in the opening 10 overs, Dhawan led a charmed life as he was caught off a Kyle Jarvis no-ball and then dropped by wicketkeeper Taylor when he was on just 14.
Kohli’s dismissal brought controversy – and will likely draw the attention of the match referee Chris Broad – after he twice disputed the legitimacy of Malcolm Waller’s catch at mid-on.
Kohli was adamant the ball had bounced in front of the fielder, but was given his marching orders after the on-field umpires twice checked upstairs.
With Brian Vitori dismissing Ambati Rayudu for five and Suresh Raina departing soon after, India slumped to 4-65 before Dhawan resurrected the innings in a 167-run partnership with Dinesh Karthik.
Dhawan was dropped again on 70 – this time by Waller – before going to his century from 115 deliveries.
Karthik was run out for 69 after a mix-up with Dhawan, who perished in the next over when he played on from offspinner Prosper Utseya.
However, India finished strongly as R Vinay Kumar and Shami Ahmed took 23 runs from the final over by left-arm spinner Sean Williams.