Zim v Ind, 1st ODI Preview: Full-strength Zimbabwe take on fresh look Indian side

Opportunity beckons for both the sides when Zimbabwe meets visitors India in the first ODI at the Harare Sports Club. Indian selectors have chosen to send a second string side full of young exciting names ready to showcase their capabilities. The plethora of Indian youngsters in Zimbabwe would want to enhance their reputation and become players selectors can’t ignore very much.

Zimbabwe has opted for a full-strength side with hopes of bringing some turnaround and creating some unexpected upset when playing against the inexperienced Indian side. They have seen a major changeover in their team setup. They have a new skipper, new coach. Considering all these facts, the upcoming tour will be a great challenge for the African nation whose cricketing stocks have taken a plummet in the past couple of years.

Zimbabwe:

The Zimbabwean have looked rusty in the recent times. They will have to play with a dash of fearlessness when they take the field tomorrow against the young and peppy Indian team. The Zimbabweans would look forward to putting up a great challenge tomorrow. They will most likely go with the experienced names in the squad. The batsmen must come with plans to survive the full 50 overs. Openers Chamu Chibhabha and Sikander Raza must try and occupy the first 15 overs of the play if they wish to see Indians under some pressure. Craig Ervine is fresh from a double century in first-class cricket and must carry the same form tomorrow. Tendai Chatara and Tawanda Mupariwa will lead the bowling department. Wellington Masakadza and Taurai Muzarabani don’t have experience under their belt but are really good at their job.

Probable XI: Chamu Chibhabha, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tendai Chatara, Graeme Cremer (C), Tawanda Mupariwa, Wellington Masakadza, Taurai Muzarabani

India:

The Zimbabwe tour can possibly be proving ground for the Indians. The oldest and the most experienced one in the side is the wise guy MS Dhoni. He will have a huge responsibility of herding the pack of young men in the proper direction in alien conditions. Yuzvendra Chahal, Faiz Fazal, Mandeep Singh, Karun Nair and Jayant Yadav have not played international cricket before. For the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Lokesh Rahul, Dhawal Kulkarni and Barinder Sran, who have prior international experience, it will about marking their stamp in the 50 overs format. Manish Pandey, who made his international debut during the previous Zimbabwe tour will look to make a strong case for a permanent place in the team.

Probable XI: Faiz Fazal, Lokesh Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Jayant Yadav/Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Pitch & Conditions:

The Harare Sports Club is in the heart of the city. The weather will be sunny with the sun shining at 21 degrees. The surface will be conducive for pace and seam. But, batsman will benefit from the even bounce and predictable nature

Stats: 

• Zimbabwe have won only 2 out of the last 10 games played at this venue.
• Elton Chigumbura (1244 runs and 26 wickets) is the highest run-maker as well as the highest wicket- taker at this venue.
• India has a 7-1 head to head record against Zimbabwe. The last and the only time the home side won a game at home was in 1998.