'Need to go out with the belief that we can win' - Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton ahead of India series

Zimbabwe head coach Dave Houghton believes that his side is up for the challenge in the upcoming three-match ODI series against India. The Asian team, led by KL Rahul, will tour Zimbabwe, with the series set to begin on August 18. The hosts come into the series on the back of a 2-1 ODI series win over Bangladesh, while India come into the series after a series win in the ODIs and T20Is on the West Indies tour.

Houghton said that he told his team there is a good opportunity for them to score and get good results against India. He also urged his side to believe that they can win against “one of the best sides” in the world. “I told the boys in the dressing room that India coming here is a good opportunity for us to really score and get good results against one of the best sides in the world,” said Houghton in an interview with Sportstar.

We will play well and can put up a serious contest: Houghton

“I told them that I want us to believe that we aren’t here just to add up to the numbers and watch India play really good cricket, but we are here to challenge. I am hoping in these three games, we can challenge India really hard,” added Houghton.

Houghton succeeded Lalchand Rajput as the head coach in June, and it was during his time the African side ensured a berth in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He reckons that having the belief is the change they made over the last few months. He feels if Zimbabwe continue to believe, the side could play well and put up a “serious” contest against the Men in Blue. 

“The biggest thing for me is that we have to go out there with the belief that we can win. That’s a change we have made over the last few months, and hopefully, they will continue to believe and come out like that against India. If they do, we will play well and can put up a serious contest against the Indian side,” expressed Houghton.