adminZIMBABWE’S cricket festival, which has seen the game reinvent itself and bring back the colourful crowds, continues with the arrival of heavyweights India for three ODIs.
All the matches will be played at Harare Sports Club with the first game set for next Thursday, the second game two days later and the final game the following Monday.
Sikandar Raza has been the Chevrons’ mainstay.
The Indians will be led by opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was also in charge when they hammered the West Indies 3-0 in ODIs and 4-1 in T20Is.
Washington Sundar’s bad luck with injuries continues as the India all-rounder suffered a shoulder niggle during a Royal London One-Day Cup match in Manchester on Wednesday.
Sundar left the field after receiving treatment on his shoulder and is now doubtful for the tour of Zimbabwe.
Players like Deepak Hooda, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar will want to make this series count and bounce back in the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup.
Kuldeep did not get enough opportunity to prove himself as he was out of the side due to injury.
He made comeback to Team India after excellent bowling in IPL 2022 for Delhi Capitals.
Deepak is also a big name that will want this series to go well for himself.
He has been named on the stand-by in the Asia Cup squad.
The anchor behind India’s commanding show in the Caribbean was Shubman Gill, who made a comeback to white-ball internationals after a significant gap of over 18 months.
The 22-year-old batter emerged as the leading run scorer from the three matches, which saw him accumulate 205 runs at an average of 102.50.
Such was his form, that he almost knocked his maiden ODI ton before being left stranded on 98 due to poor weather conditions.
Despite the spectacular show in the West Indies and many times in the past, Gill has often found himself on the wrong side, with fans calling him out for his strike-rate.
“I feel questions will always be raised, but I don’t really care about what people are saying as long as I’m able to contribute to my team’s success, and as long as I am doing what my team management and my captain expect of me,” the opener batter told Telegraph India in a recent interaction.
Reflecting on his phenomenal run in the Caribbean, Gill said: “I think it gives me kind of an edge in some way.
“But it will also be important for me to keep backing up these performances and keep being consistent, and keep scoring as many runs as possible for my team.”
Gill will now be seen in action against Zimbabwe in an ODI series, where Dhawan once again will be back with captaincy duties. The three-match series starts from August 18 in Harare.
India tour of Zimbabwe 2022 Schedule
Aug 18 – Zimbabwe vs India, 1st ODI – Harare Sports Club, Harare – 12:45 PM
Aug 20 – Zimbabwe vs India, 2nd ODI – Harare Sports Club, Harare – 12:45 PM
Aug 22 – Zimbabwe vs India, 3rd ODI –Harare Sports Club, Harare – 12:45 PM
India tour of Zimbabwe 2022 Squad
Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar. – India.com/hindustantimes.com
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter