adminTHINGS went from bad to worse for the hosts as Zimbabwe allowed India to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the One-Day International series on Monday and earned the wrath of their emotional fans.
The loyal supporters turned on the players after they witnessed a batting collapse soon after an innings-defining partnership between Sikandar Raza and Vusi Sibanda.
While the Indian team took the day off, Zimbabwe hit the nets on the eve of the last ODI under the supervision of Makhaya Ntini and Lance Klusener, the head coach and batting coach of the side.
While the sessions may help, it will come down to their ability to apply themselves in the middle if they are to avoid letting India complete a series sweep.
The toss has had quite an impact in the first two games, with India fielding first and bundling out the hosts cheaply on both occasions.
While form has deserted them, Zimbabwe will hope a little luck could give them company in the final fix- ture.
MS Dhoni spent some time whacking some throw downs in the nets on Monday but it’s unlikely he will push himself up the order.
It remains to be seen if India give their bench-warmers a go in the last outing before the T20 leg.
The likes of Faiz Fazal, Mandeep Singh, Jayant Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat and Rishi Dhawan are yet to play in the series so far, and with the series sealed, the Indian team, could look at giving some of their players a game.
Zimbabwe too could look at making changes in the dead rubber.
If Sean Williams doesn’t recover from his finger injury, Timycen Maruma could be considered.
Young spinner Wellington Masakadza could also be drafted in.
“We haven’t been able to be in a position to be able to conquer what we need to conquer,’ said Ntini.
“We haven’t batted very well, our bowlers are very good but there’s no score that they can defend. Everyone still believe that they can do it.
“There’s no change in that.”
If India win the third ODI, it will be the first ODI series whitewash for India under MS Dhoni away from home.
The last time Zimbabwe beat India in an ODI in a bilateral series was way back in March 2002 in Kochi. Since then India have won all 12 matches between the two sides.
Vusi Sibanda needs 44 more runs to become the eighth player to score 3000 ODI runs for Zimbabwe.
Teams:
India (From): Lokesh Rahul, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w/c), Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Yuzvendra Chahal, Faiz Fazal, Rishi Dhawan, Jayant Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat
Zimbabwe (From): Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Peter Moor, Vusi Sibanda, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami(w), Graeme Cremer(c), Tendai Chatara, Taurai Muzarabani, Tendai Chisoro, Neville Madziva, Donald Tiripano, Craig Ervine, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Tawanda Mupariwa — Cricbuzz.com
Online Reporter