Zim v Ind, 1st T20I Preview: India look to continue their domination

India will continue its winter sojourn in Zimbabwe as the tour moves to its T20 leg. The confident visitors, after nailing the ODI series 3-0 without breaking any sweat, will look forward to replicate similar performances when they take on the hosts in the 1st T20I tomorrow at the Harare Sports Club.

The scenarios are contrasting for both the teams are the same. India, despite having a weaker side, has had a dominant time in the series. They hardly seem to have any issues to iron out except for zeroing in on the playing XI and enjoying FIFA in their hotel rooms. On the other side, the full strength Zimbabwe squad, which is languishing at number 12 in the T20 rankings, has problems in heaps. The T20 series, however, could be their chance to find a way out of all this mess. Also, they can draw inspiration from the last time they played against India in a T20I series they held the Ajinkya Rahane led-side to a fighting 1-1 draw.

Zimbabwe:

The hosts must look forward to putting up a competitive show against their stronger opponents in the unpredictable format. Their batting has been fragile; so fragile that not even once did the team manage to post a 200 plus total on the scoreboard. Their bowlers have looked completely ineffective. Injuries to Sean Williams and Craig Ervine has been a big blow. Tinashe Panyangara and Luke Jongwe’s absence has also hurt. They have called up in-form opener Chamunorwa Chibhabha, uncapped off-spinner Tapiwa Mufudza and leg-spinning all-rounder Tinotenda Mutombodzi to replace Williams, Ervine and Jongwe.

The inclusion of both the spinners, who are coming after a good domestic show will be a boost to Graeme Cremer’ side. Chibhabha, the highest run-getter for Zimbabwe in the ODI series, will have to shoulder the batting responsibility. Hamilton Masakadza has the reputation as well as the experience. Sikandar Raza, Elton Chigumbura and Vusi Sibanda also have opportunities to shine.

Probable XI

Zimbabwe:

Hamilton Masakadza, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Vusi Sibanda, Timycen Maruma/Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Graeme Cremer (C), Tapiwa Mufudza/Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano

Also check out – Zimbabwe v India T20I series: 5 players to watch out for

India:

The 2nd ranked Indian side, led by the most experienced T20 skipper in the world can be tagged as the favorite blindly without any debate. On a high after dominating in the ODI series, MS Dhoni and his young brigade will look for another clinical performance when they will take the field in the 1st T20I. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jaydev Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan all set to make their T20I debut.

KL Rahul and Mandeep will open for Team India. Nair played in the first two ODIs, scoring 39 in the second game after failing in the first, but Fazal impressed in his first outing in the international arena, scoring his maiden half-century in the third ODI. Kedar Jadhav and Manish Pandey will look for some worthy chance with the bat. Dhoni will try out Mandeep Singh and Jaydev Unadkat in the T20Is.

Playing XI:

KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat.

Pitch & Conditions:

The weather will be mostly sunny with a maximum temperature of 24 degrees celsius. The surface is expected to be slow and two-paced like it was in the ODI series.