Zimbabwe vs India ODI Series Preview
Zimbabwe welcome a depleted Indian side for a short tour of three ODIs and two T20 Internationals with the first ODI kick starting the tour in Harare on Friday July 10th and our latest cricket betting tips article takes a look at the game.
The series provides different objectives for both the sides. India rested most of their regular players including MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Some of the players who came to Zimbabwe will be largely unknown to cricket followers in that country.
Opportunities have opened up for Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Manoj Tiwary and Robin Uthappa to secure a long-term place in the Indian team.
And of course is the achilles heel – India’s bowling. Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni and even Sandeep Sharma will look to make impressions on the selectors.
Binny is touted as India’s solution to its all-rounder problems. He has never had enough chances to prove himself but this series could be his best chance.
The line up adds some interest to the series, as does the fact that India is coming off a shock series loss to Bangladesh.
For Zimbabwe, it is a case of adjusting to life beyond their influential captain Brendan Taylor who quit the national team. The series marks the start of a busy calendar for Zimbabwe. It is a chance for the team to develop into a dynamic unit to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The Zimbabwe batting is more or less settled though they will miss Craig Ervine who is out with a hamstring problem. Sean Williams will be looking to continue his good form from the World Cup. Failures in Pakistan should also spur him to perform well here. Sikandar Raza has moved into the middle order to shore up the loss of Taylor and looked good scoring a century in Pakistan. He could have an important role on the slow pitches of Harare.
Tendai Chatara will be missed in the bowling department but the pitch in Harare is conducive for slow bowlers.
This will be the first match under the new ODI playing conditions – no compulsory catchers in the first ten overs, no batting Powerplay, five fielders outside the 30-yard circle in the last ten overs and free hits for all no balls.
It could be an interesting series. India have been installed as short-priced $1.26 favourites at William Hill, but do not be surprised if Zimbabwe pull out a surprise victory at juicy odds of $3.90 at William Hill. It is not definitely beyond their ability.
