Zimbabwe vs. India - Match Preview
India who were looking to bounce back from their disappointing T20 World Cup suffered massive defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe, which came as a big shock to the Indian team, but they did gather themselves in time for their next match which was against Sri Lanka, and a comprehensive win in their 2nd match would have restored some confidence in the team. While Zimbabwe suffered a loss in their 2nd match against Sri Lankans, so it is a triangular affects in the Triangular series, as both teams have 2 points each, at the end of round one of 2, Sri Lanka lead the points table, India are 2nd and Zimbabwe on 3rd, but only based on the net run rates.
India will be out for revenge as they take on Zimbabwe in the 2nd round of matches, but rest assured it will not be a walk in the park for the Indians as they learned in the first match of the tournament. Zimbabwe showed immense guts and determination to overhaul India, and the hosts will be bringing their A game once again, in an effort to produce another upset.
Looking at the venue, the tournament has moved to Harrare for the second leg of the tournament, the pitch on the venue offers true bounce, and clear blue skies, which should assist the array of spinners that Zimbabwe have in their ranks, while the batsmen from the home team will also feel more at home playing in sunny conditions, as they were found a bit wanting the overcast conditions in Bullawayo, where the ball was seaming around, specially in the first few overs, but with the ball not doing much and a pitch offering true bounce it should be more of a playing field in Harrare. Also considering that their next match is against Sri Lanka, who on paper appear to be the strongest team in the tournament, no disrespect to India but it pretty much is their 2nd string side.
Looking at the form of both teams coming into the match, both teams have won and lost on their previous two matches which took place in the same tournament, but considering the last five matches Zimbabwe have won only one of their five, while India have not fared that much better winning two of their previous five matches in One day Internationals.
Rohit Sharma will once again be the man to watch, who scored two centuries in previous 2 matches in the same tournament, and is on the verge of joining an elite list of batsmen who have scored 3 consecutive centuries in One day International, a list which includes Saeed Anwer the left handed opener from Pakistan, who achieved the same feat in Sharjah, Dean Jones from Australia and another legend from Pakistan Zaheer Abbas. The former under 19 captain for India Virat Kohli has also been in good nick, and the young pace attack which includes Dhinda has been more then impressive.
While for the hosts Hamilton Masakadza has been in good touch at the top of the order, but will need to convert good stats into big score, and the new kid on the block Ervine had took to international cricket like a duck does to water, and if Zimbabwe are to chase he will once again be the key.
Zimbabwe have maintained the same playing 11 in the last 2 matches, and considering their win against India in the first match, it will not be a surprise if they once again decide to go in with the same players. While for India considering it is a new pitch which will offer assistance to spinners Ojha (left arm spinner) may make his way in the side in place of a seamier.
In normal circumstances the result of the match would have been a forgone conclusion, but keeping in mind Zimbabwe’s win against India in the first game, and India not having their best side on tour; one can be forgiven to once again expect the unexpected.
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