Published: Jun 19, 2016, 05:57 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 20, 2016, 10:35 AM (IST)
Zimbabwe, who managed to scrape out a victory in the first of the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against India, will look to make the most of their first success in this series. Hosts will play India at the Harare Sports Club in the second game of the series and look to avenge their One-Day International (ODI) series defeat. A narrow 2-run win on Saturday meant that MS Dhoni and his men will be under pressure to hit back at Zimbabwe, which gives Graeme Cremer and Co. freedom to express themselves which they lacked during the ODIs. Vishal Mehra, predicts the playing XI for Zimbabwe which they may field against India on Monday. Full Cricket Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs India, 2nd T20I, at Harare
Top-order: Zimbabwe’s top-order played well in the opening match of the series. Chamu Chibhabha and Hamilton Masakadza contributing 33 runs in just 4.3 overs. Masakadza was the aggressor in the partnership making 25 runs in the just 15 balls which included three massive sixes and a single boundary. Chibhabha on the other hand played an almost run-a-ball innings 20(19). Richard Mutumbami was unlucky to be announced retired hurt after getting hit by Jaydev Unadkat in the stomach. Zimbabwe will want Mutumbami to come back in form and play to his absolute best. ALSO READ: India vs Zimbabwe 2016, 2nd T20I at Harare, Predictions and Preview
Middle-order: Sikandar Raza who looked good in his 18-ball stay occupied the crease for Zimbabwe. Raza, who batted sensibly, was continuously picking up singles to keep the score board ticking. Malcolm Waller was a key to Zimbabwe setting a above par target of 170 due to his partnership with Elton Chigumbura. Waller added quick runs as he made 30 runs off 21 balls at and decent strike-rate of 142.86. Waller’s stay at the pitch is needed if Zimbabwe has to beat India the second time around. The star of the first T20I with the bat for Zimbabwe Chigumbura will be high on confidence after his game changing knock. Chigumbura plundered the Indian bowlers at will. Chigumbura hit as many as seven sixes, the most by an Zimbabwe batsmen in a T20I, during his 54 run unbeaten knock.
Lower-order: Skipper Cremer will hope for a better show with the bat this time around. Cremer has the ability to hit the ball long and far but has been fairly poor against India. When it comes to his bowling he was on the expensive side in the first match going for 35 runs in his 3 overs. More is expected out of the wily spinner. Tinotenda Mutombodzi, who is fairly new to the international stage, will look to compliment more as an established batsmen in the team than look for a more flamboyant stay at the middle. All credit must go to the Zimbabwean bowlers who were accurate and unmerciful on the Indian batsmen in the death overs keeping runs at bay.
Neville Madziva who bowled the all important final over where India’s best finisher Dhoni was at the crease. He bowled an excellent final over which was appreciated by Dhoni himself later after the match. Donald Tiripano, who jolted India’s hope in the very first ball castling KL Rahul’s stumps, will hope to rekindle the same show this time at a much more consistent basis. Taurai Muzarabani hurt India the most in the last match picking up wickets of Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav, who were looking set guide India to wicket. Muzarabani struck at crucial moments just when India were looking to at the ante.
Zimbabwe’s likely XI: Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami(wk), Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Graeme Cremer(c), Neville Madziva, Taurai Muzarabani, Donald Tiripano
(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @capturethecatch )
