Cricket News

‘We can challenge India really hard’ – Zimbabwe Coach Dave Houghton on their ability ahead of series vs India

 

Zimbabwe head coach Dave Houghton opines that his side is ready for the challenge in the upcoming three-match ODI series against India. The Men in Blue, led by KL Rahul, will tour Zimbabwe, with the series slated 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 comes into the series after a win in ODIs and T20Is on the West Indies tour.

Houghton emphasized 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.

“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,” he added.

Houghton has taken on the mantle of Head Coach after  Lalchand Rajput quit as the head coach in June, and it came during his time the Men from Zimbabwe secured a berth in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He states that having the belief is the change they made over the last few months. He feels if Zimbabwe continues 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.