The end of the T20 carnival marks the beginning of India’s long and hectic international season. Come June 11, they square off against Zimbabwe in a limited overs series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.
While most of the regular players have been rested, these matches provide an opportunity for exciting young talents such as Karun Nair and Faiz Fazal to stake their claim to a regular place in the side.
A look at the ICC rankings and the recent form of the two teams will suggest that India start as favourites even with a second string outfit.
But make no mistake, Zimbabwe are more than capable of an upset or two and they will take the game to India, especially with a new leadership unit fronted by captain Graeme Cremer.
Here, we look at five factors India should be mindful of ahead of the series.
ZIMBABWE’S SEAMERS
L to R: Chatara, Madziva and Tiripano
Zimbabwe boast some quality seamers. While they may not bowl 140kmph and above consistently, they rely on accuracy, seam movement and subtle changes of pace that their home conditions favour.
Tinashe Panyangara, one of their mainstays of late, is nursing a back injury and Zimbabwe will miss his services. However, they still have Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano and young Neville Madziva. Earlier this year, Madziva bamboozled the Bangladesh top order in a T20I, scalping four wickets to help his side level the series, and he is definitely one to watch.
Zimbabwe also have the experienced Tawanda Mupariwa, who was once the fastest Zimbabwean to 50 ODI wickets (in 28 matches) back in 2008. This attack has the potential to dominate the inexperienced Indian batting lineup, especially one known to be jittery at the start of away tours and unfamiliar with the conditions.
HOSTS’ SUPPORT STAFF
Ntini takes over as head coach from Dav Whatmore
With the mid-tenure termination of Dav Whatmore’s contract and the sacking of captain Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe are clearing a new path for their cricket. Makhaya Ntini, who was the side’s bowling coach previously, steps up to become interim head coach for the India series.
They have also signed up Ntini’s former teammate Lance Klusener as a batting coach for the next two years. In addition, the big announcement of Tatenda Taibu’s return to cricket after a spiritual hiatus, albeit as a selector, is sure to spur the team to perform for the former national hero.
DHONI’S LEADERSHIP OF FRINGE PLAYERS
Dhoni’s management of young players like Barinder Sran will be important
It’s a given that MS Dhoni loves working with familiarity. He has eked so much out of his squad in recent years, but if the recently concluded IPL season is anything to go by, there are reasonable doubts over his ability to work with unfamiliar faces.
In this squad he does not have the cushion of a Ravichandran Ashwin or a Ravindra Jadeja. Neither does he have the magnificence of Virat Kohli or the precision of Ashish Nehra. In fact, Dhoni’s experience is three times that of the other fifteen players in the squad combined when it comes to caps (Dhoni has played in 275 ODIs, 68 T20Is and the rest of the team makes up 83 ODIs and 28 T20Is).
NOTHING TO GAIN FOR INDIA
There’s not much for India to gain in this series
India will remain as they are in the ICC rankings even if they sleep-walk through the ODI series. They’re currently ranked fourth with 109 points and will gain one more with a series victory, still behind South Africa who sit on 112.
Besides, a tour of Zimbabwe is a double-edged sword for the players. If you do well and notch up a ton or a five-for, you are still likely to be asked to make way for the returning seniors. Underperform and you are staring at ignominious obscurity. Ask Naman Ojha, Manoj Tiwary or Robin Uthappa and they’ll nod in unison at the suggestion of how negative an impact these tours can have.
And, in contrast, they face a hungry Zimbabwe side with everything to gain and the incentive of wanting to punch above their weight against a country that sees their first team unworthy of touring its shores.
IPL BURNOUT
This year’s IPL has been hectic
Fifteen out of sixteen players in the India squad featured in the recently-concluded IPL. While some may argue that these are young men capable of coping with a gruelling T2o schedule, wear and tear on both body and mind is inevitable.
How they cope with the transition to ODI cricket and the demands of a tour away from home could prove pivotal, with Zimbabwe’s players going into the series both fresh and with points to prove.
India might still, in all probability, fly away 6-0 from the African port. But a sight to behold will be the effervescent underdogs trump the mighty favourites on one fine June evening.
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