Middle-order batsman, Manish Pandey was finally rewarded for his performance in the Indian domestic circuit as he received his maiden India cap against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.
Pandey was part of the 14-member India squad for the Zimbabwe tour and warmed the bench in the first two ODIs. He was drafted into the squad in place of Ambati Rayudu, who got injured in the last match.
The Karnataka batsman was in the India T20 squad last year against West Indies, but unfortunately the series was called off. But, he finally received his maiden cap against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, in the 3rd ODI, Zimbabwe again won the toss and put India to bat in the final game of the series. The Indian cricket team has already sealed the series by winning first two matches of the series and now aiming for a whitewash.
“It looks a dry wicket,” India skipper Ajinkya Rahane said. “We have to bat well and bat in partnerships. We have two changes. Manish Pandey comes in for Rayudu, who is unfortunately injured. Dhawal Kulkarni is rested and Mohit Sharma replaces him.”
Zimbabwe XI: Chibhabha, Chakabva, Masakadza, Chigumbura, Raza, Waller, Utseya, Mutumbami, Madziva, Tiripano and Cremer.
India XI: Rahane, Vijay, Pandey, Tiwary, Uthappa, Binny, Jadhav, Singh, Patel, Kumar and Sharma.
