ZIM vs IND 1st Match Prediction

ZIM vs IND Team Previews

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has a lot of work to do before it can get back to the glory days of cricket during the 90's when its team was a genuine contender in every match that it played. Not being able to qualify for the T20 World Cup was a massive loss and shows just how far back the team has fallen. 

Sikandar Raza, the captain of the team, is also its best player by far. A genuine all-rounder, Sikandar Raza has cut his teeth around the T20 circuit and found success against top-quality opponents. He is a true match-winner and someone that Zimbabwe will be banking on with both bat and ball. 

The problem is that there is just not too much quality around him. Innocent Kaia, Milton Shumba, and Dion Myers are likely to find a place in the top order. Neither of these players are particularly powerful and might struggle against spin. 

Raza will marshall the middle order with help from Madhevere, Madande, and possibly Bennett.

This is not a strong batting lineup and we will look to bet against them in markets like Most 4's, Most 6's, Team with Highest Scorer etc. The odds are not going to be great but you take what you can in such contests. 

The bowling has a bit more teeth. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani will test the batters with some swing and steep bounce. Sikandar Raza himself is a very good spinner and will have good support from Luke Jongwe and perhaps Wellington Masakadza. 

Is this a bowling lineup that will get the better of the inexperienced Indian team? In all likelihood, no. This may be the best that Zimbabwe has but it is not even close to the quality of bowling these players have faced (and dominated) in the IPL. 

India

This series against Zimbabwe may not hold a lot of importance as a while but will be very keenly watched by Indian cricket fans. This is because you will get to see the next generation of Indian cricketers on the big stage. Flight delays have meant that players like Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will not join the team until the 3rd T20. 

What kind of lineup could we see?

Shubman Gill is the captain and the first-choice opening batter. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from T20 internationals, there are two massive spots open in the batting lineup and Gill will look to cement the other. Abhishek Sharma seems likely to be the second opening batter ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

Abhishek Sharma smashed 39 sixes in the IPL and is also very handy with the ball. The fact that is left-handed also goes in his favor. 

Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, and Dhruv Jurel seem likely to take up the next four spots. Now, India has the option to play Washington Sundar at 7 (a spot too high for our liking) or maybe add Jitesh Sharma to the lineup to lengthen the batting order. 

That would mean depending on Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag for four overs so India might not be too keen for that. 

Ravi Bishnoi has little competition for the spinner's spot and will get a game for sure. The three pace bowlers have a lot of jostling to do, though. Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan seem likely to start with Harshit Rana and Tushar Deshpande waiting in the wings. 

All of India's players have faced a lot of success in the IPL but that does not necessarily translate to success at the International level. We still think India has the depth and quality to overcome Zimbabwe with ease, though.