Zimbabwe vs India, 1st ODI – Preview, Match Details, Pitch Conditions and Updates
Zimbabwe and India will lock horns for a three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club on August 18, 20 and 22.
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Aug 17, 2022 4:45 pm
India vs Zimbabwe (Source: Twitter)
Zimbabwe and India will lock horns for a three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe will enter the arena with tremendous confidence after defeating Bangladesh in the T20I series and ODI series. They have been in stupendous form of late and have all it takes to upset India.
India, on the other hand, are marching on to the field after a confident T20I series win against West Indies. KL Rahul and co have reached Harare ahead of the series and have hit the nets already. Here’s the match preview for the 1st ODI that is set to take place tomorrow (August 18):
Team News:
Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe are entering the series after defeating the Bangla tigers 2-1 in the ODI series. The captain Sikandar Raza bagged two centuries in the series. Regis Chakabva is all set to wear the captaincy hat. Innocent Kaia will look to carry on with his form up front and Victor Nyauchi will be crucial in the bowling department.
Here are the players to watch out for:
1) Sikandar Raza:
Sikandar Raza will enter the series with extreme confidence on the back of dual hundreds in the ODI series. The batting allrounder would look to emulate the majesty he displayed in the recently concluded series. He will be one of the key players for Chakabva-led team and might threaten India.
2) Innocent Kaia:
Innocent Kaia impressed everyone in the ODI series against Bangladesh. The 30-year-old scored a century and averages around forty in the ODIs. With one century and one fifty to his name in the format, the opening batter will aim to set the foundation initially for Zimbabwe.
3) Victor Nyauchi:
The fiery medium-pacer can be threatening from ball one for the Indians. The Harare-born will leave no stone unturned to get wickets for his team. He will be crucial with new ball and the pitch is even for batting and bowling. The 30-year-old can pick scalps at crucial stages.
Predicted Playing XI: Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva(C, WK), Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi
India:
Indian selectors have sent a squad which is a mix of young blood and experience. KL Rahul is all set to lead the squad after a long halt and Shikhar Dhawan will act as his deputy. Deepak Chahar has returned to the squad while Washington Sundar will miss out due to injury. Shahbaz Ahmed got his maiden ODI call-up. Although India is missing experienced players, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan will have their ears open to guide the youngsters.
Players to watch out for:
1) Shikhar Dhawan:
The batter has been in superb form of late. He did extremely well as the captain in the ODI series against West Indies. And the southpaw will look to do well in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. It is quite evident that he’ll be one of the openers who’ll get a golden pass to the 2023 World Cup squad.
2) KL Rahul:
The Karnataka-based batter is coming in to the squad after a long time. And the fans are thrilled to watch him play. Getting runs will be crucial ahead of big events that are lined up. KL Rahul is a part of the Asia Cup 2022 squad. And might as well play the 20-20 World Cup 2022 as well. He will have to do well as the captain of the brigade.
3) Deepak Chahar:
Deepak Chahar is coming back after missing out on the Indian T20 League. The bowler has to do well in order to cement his place in the main squad for the Asia Cup 2022. The Chennai player is currently named as the reserve player for the Asia Cup 2022. One of the officials of the Indian cricket board earlier revealed that he might make it to the main squad if he does well in the Zimbabwe tour. Chahar might have to make the most of the opportunity and is definitely a player to watch out for.
The average score at Harare Sports Club in the Bangladesh series was 266. And the pitch might be even-handed for both bowling and batting department. Teams winning the toss, might look to bat first and put a huge total on scoreboard.
