HARARE: Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets as they spun India to a comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe in Friday's first Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club.

After India had posted a formidable 178 for five in their 20 overs, Patel took 3 for 17 on his Twenty20 international debut and Harbhajan returned 2 for 29 as Zimbabwe were restricted to 124 for seven.

The second and final match in the series takes place at the same venue on Sunday.