The short gap between the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20
International (T20I) series brings an opportunity for Zimbabwe to get
back on their feet, dust themselves clean and seek a fresh beginning.
The atmosphere must have been morose but Graeme Cremer, the Zimbabwe
captain, was quick to suggest that there was indeed no time for
introspection.
If the three fixtures so far are anything to go by, it's the lack of
patience and application that has ailed Zimbabwe. On two out of three
occasions, they had a good enough foundation to challenge their superior
opposition, but their failure to do so reflected the fact that
perseverance isn't their strongest suit. The shorter format, thus, comes
as one where they can try and play with renewed confidence levels.
That said, they will go up against a bunch of youngsters who may have
been inexperienced in ODIs, but come into the T20I series with rich
Indian Premier League experience. Yuzvendra Chahal has picked 20-plus
wickets for two seasons in a row now, Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the
finds of the tournament while Barinder Sran too showed his mettle
across roles in a title-winning season in 2016. Among the batters too,
KL Rahul has enhanced his reputation as a T20 player while Manish Pandey
is one of the top-order batters that Zimbabwe need to be wary of.
In absolute contrast, Zimbabwe have the unwanted distinction of being
the only full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to not
have qualified for the Super 10 of the ICC World Twenty20 in India
earlier this year. Afghanistan, who've been on the rise in recent years,
piped the African nation to advance. The only bit of optimism comes
from the fact that they managed to beat India and level the two-match
T20I series at home last July.
When: June 18 at 01:00 PM Local Time, 04:30 PM IST
Where: Harare Sports Club, Harare
What to expect: A bright and sunny day in the offing with temperatures going up to 24 degrees celsius
Team News:
India: Sanjay Bangar, the head coach, suggested there will be an
attempt to give opportunity to as many squad members as possible. Faiz
Fazal, the only player in Indian squad who hasn't played IPL 2016, might
make way for either Karun Nair or Mandeep Singh. Rishi Dhawan, who
batted and bowled for a lengthy period in the nets, may also make the
cut.
Zimbabwe: Among the five additions to the 18-man T20I squad,
Chamu Chibhabha seems a sure starter on Saturday. Wellington Masakadza,
the left-arm spinner who has patiently waited in the wings during the
ODIs, could face competition from the uncapped Tapiwa Mufudza, the
right-arm spinner, who has impressed with 15 wickets in 10 domestic T20s
for the Mountaineers.
Did you know:
- Jasprit Bumrah has taken 48 wickets in T20s in 2016, second highest
behind Andre Russell's 49. It is also the most by an Indian bowler in a
calendar year in T20s.
- Hamilton Masakadza has scored seven fifties in losses in T20Is - the
most by any. He ended up in the losing side 35 out of the 47 T20s he
played.
- India and Zimbabwe last met in a T20I in 2015 in Harare. Six players
remain for Zimbabwe and three for India from that match, in the current
squad. Both sides will be lead by a different captain this time.
Who said what:
Sikandar Raza: I can certainly say that the energy will be much
better tomorrow as we have a better captain (than me). He is more mature
and has clearer thinking. Hopefully we'll even have a better
performance tomorrow. We will charge behind our skipper and give it a
good show because what is happening and what has happened in the three
ODIs, we're all equally to blame and for us to win the hearts of the
nation and the worldwide fans that are out there, I think it has to be
tomorrow.
Sanjay Bangar: We're hoping to match our own expectations when it
comes to T20. We're coming on the back of an IPL so that should hold us
in good stead when we play this format.
Squads:
India: MS Dhoni, Lokesh Rahul, Faiz Fazal, Manish Pandey, Karun
Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal
Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav,
Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal
Zimbabwe: Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer, Chamu Chibhabha, Tapiwa
Mufudza, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Peter Moor, Richmond
Mutumbami, Vusi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Elton
Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Tawanda
Mupariwa, Taurai Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Tinotenda Mutombodzi
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