Rajput seeks redemption

Sports Reporter

As his three-year contract with Zimbabwe Cricket comes to an end next month, Chevrons coach Lalchand Rajput will seek to revive the country’s hopes of qualifying for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in India.

Zimbabwe face Ireland in the qualifiers.

The Chevrons are expected to leave the country for Ireland on Thursday, where they will play eight limited-overs matches from Augusts 27 to September 13.

However, of the eight matches, Rajput will be particularly interested in the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches.

Zimbabwe anchor the 13-team group with 10 points from six matches, 20 points of the cut-off mark for automatic qualification.

And there is no man better than Rajput to understand that to get back the team in the picture for qualification, Zimbabwe will need to be at their best.

“It’s important that we take points for the Super League games. It’s a must that we have to take points and play our best cricket,” he said.

He welcomes some senior players back to the fold after missing some of them due to injuries and illness.

“I am happy that the seniors are back, and (it is) good to see Craig and Sean fully fit and raring to go.

“To win, there has to be a good mixture of senior and juniors. If you look at the last series, juniors have brought a lot of energy on the field and raised their hands.

“So, all in all, it will be an exciting series for us, with a good mix of seniors along with these exciting junior players.”

He is, however, bracing for a tough challenge from the Irish.

“No team in the shorter format is going to be easy and I always believe that to win you have to play your best cricket and put that extra effort to make sure we cross the line.

“Ireland have been doing well in the recent past, so it will be a tough contest, but we will give them a run for their money with this young and exciting team.”

After the Ireland tour, Zimbabwe will head to Edinburgh for three T20Is against Scotland from September 15 to September 19.

Meanwhile, the Lady Chevrons will be back in action on Wednesday for the first time in six months with a date against Thailand at Takashinga Sports Club for four One Day matches and three T20Is.