After sweeping Zimbabwe aside in the three-match ODI series, Team India now have a different challenge of facing the hosts in the T20I series, starting today at the Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe vs India Live Streaming Information
The 1st T20 is scheduled for a 13:00 local (11:00 GMT | 16:30 IST) start at the Harare Sports Club and will be telecast live on Ten Network in India. Zimbabwe vs India Live Streaming information is available HERE and HERE. Viewers can follow Zimbabwe vs India Live Score Updates HERE, HERE and HERE.
India’s series win in the ODIs does not guarantee success in the shorted version of the game, as a side like Zimbabwe is better suited for this format.
The visitors, on the other hand, failed to capitalise the first 20 overs in each of the three ODIs, and that’s where Zimbabwe hold an edge over India.
Zimbabwe might not have players to maintain consistency throughout 100 overs, but they surely have the firepower to light up the field for 40 overs.
“We did pretty well in the ODIs but every format has different challenges,” Ajinkya Rahane said “We will have to start from the scratch in the T20Is because we know that a couple of good overs for either team can change the complexion of the game.”
“We have to be on our toes and play good cricket throughout the 40 overs. And I am sure the boys are up for it. ODIs started at 9 in the morning and the T20I are in the afternoon. So, the wicket will be slightly better to bat on but still on the slower side.”
“We have to adjust very quickly in this format and the guys are experienced enough in the T20s with all the IPL exposure back home,” he added. “I am sure they will come good.”
India, meanwhile, have plenty of T20 experience in the side, as most players were involved in recently concluded Indian Premier League and gave some good performances.
Manish Pandey, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav and Stuart Binny had a good T20 outings recently, so adapting to new format in a space of two days wouldn’t be a challenge for them.
“We have more T20 experience in this group and that will help,” Rahane pointed out. “But again, you have to perform on the particular day and have the right attitude throughout the game. We have to play as a unit, like we did in the ODIs.”
Zimbabwe (possible): Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Charles Coventry (wk), Elton Chigumbura (c), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva and Chris Mpofu.
India (possible): Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2 Murali Vijay, Manoj Tiwary, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Sanju Samson (wk), Stuart Binny, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
