Zimbabwe-India combined all-time ODI XI

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  • The Best XI from Ind-Zim contests

    Contests between Zimbabwe and India have served up some thrillers over the past few decades and at one point in the late ’90s Zimbabwe regularly provided heartbreak for their more established opponents.

    The Zimbabwean cricket team have fallen off the radar lately, but are in the process of making moves in a bid to rejuvenate cricket in the country.

    They welcome a much changed, inexperienced India side to Zimbabwe this month with another major scalp a real possibility.

    Both of the current squads would do well to look at those who have starred in this rivalry over previous years, where legends from both teams have produced some of their best performances.

    Here, we take a look back at previous Zimbabwe vs India ties and compile our ultimate combined ODI XI from matches between the two over the years.

    SACHIN TENDULKAR

    One of the two opening slots in most all-time ODI compilations would be reserved for this gentleman, and it’s little surprise Sachin Tendulkar walks into this side. Tendulkar has 1,377 runs from 33 innings against Zimbabwe at an average of 49.17, a shade above his regular ODI average. His strike-rate also goes a notch higher to 91.55.

    In 33 innings, the Little Master has five fifties and five centuries, with a highest score of 146 against Zimbabwe struck in Jodhpur back in 2000.

    SOURAV GANGULY

    Alongside Tendulkar, they made up one of the world’s greatest ODI opening pairings, matching each other in flamboyance and tormenting bowlers with their sheer dedication to run-making.

    Ganguly’s tally of 1,367 runs is next only to that of Sachin, with a highest score of 144 and an average of 42.71 at a strike-rate just under 75. The left-hander made seven half-centuries against Zimbabwe, as well as three hundreds.

    ALISTAIR CAMPBELL

    Former Zimbabwe captain Campbell takes the pivotal position at three on the back of his prolific run-getting against India.

    Campbell scored 1,227 runs, the second-most for Zimbabwe in ODIs against India, behind Andy Flower. His runs came at an average of 35.05 and a strike-rate of close to 74 and included a top-score of 105* at the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy in Sharjah sixteen years ago.

    ANDY FLOWER (WK)

    The first Flower in this list will also don the gloves for his role during the most competitive phase of this rivalry that pre-dated his main rival for the spot, MS Dhoni. Flower was a constant nemesis to India, almost always making a contribution.

    He ended up with one century and 11 fifties against India and a highest score of 145. Flower’s 1,298 runs came at an average of 40.56 and a strike-rate a nudge above 74.

    GRANT FLOWER

    Grant joins his brother Andy, taking up number five in the batting order. For a long time the Flower brothers offered the solidity and support that Zimbabwe batting needed. Grant scored 1,165 runs, fifth on the list as the highest aggregate run-scorer in these contests and with an average of 31.48 and a strike rate of 66.23.

    Grant managed five half-centuries and a solitary hundred, and added 20 wickets to his name with his useful off-spin.

    Grant Flower (Getty)

    Grant Flower

    RAHUL DRAVID

    Although Dravid hasn’t performed to his truest potential against Zimbabwe, through sheer weight of runs he makes it into the team. Let’s be honest, there are far worse reasons to squeeze one of the game’s greatest batsmen in to the team than on the back of scoring more than the majority of his compatriots.

    In 27 innings, Dravid amassed 885 runs at close to an average of 37 runs per innings and a strike-rate of 72.12. Dravid notched up eight fifties but never hit a century against Zimbabwe, his highest score the 85 he hit in Sharjah during the now infamous Coca-Cola Champions Trophy.

    AJAY JADEJA

    This man looks good for the finisher’s spot, his batting average – the highest in all India-Zimbabwe encounters for anyone with at least 300 runs – proving testament to this.

    Jadeja has 656 runs at 65.60 with a strike-rate of 85.97 that, although seeming pitiful considering modern standards, stands out in this list. One century, four fifties and eight unbeaten knocks in 18 innings showcase Jadeja’s knack of seeing off Zimbabwe. He also picked up eight wickets, doubling up as a handy part-time trundler if we need him.

    Ajay Jadeja (Getty)

    Ajay Jadeja

    HEATH STREAK

    The former Zimbabwe captain is quite comfortably the best all-rounder in all India-Zimbabwe encounters. Primarily a new-ball bowler, Streak has 39 wickets from 35 matches at an average of 38.02, economy of 4.95 and best figures of 5-32.

    He also has 532 runs from 33 innings at 23 with 3 half-centuries and a highest score of 59*, thus making him a very handy lower order batsman. Streak holds the record for the most number of overs bowled by any bowler in encounters between the two teams – a whopping 299.1, which is 57 more than Ajit Agarkar’s tally in second-place.

    Heath Streak (Getty)

    Heath Streak

    AJIT AGARKAR

    Agarkar has a healthy batting average of 41 with 246 runs in 16 innings with a half-century that, at the time, was India’s fastest in ODI cricket when he bludgeoned 67 off 25 balls at Rajkot in 2000. But Agarkar will make it to this list purely on the merit of his bowling.

    He is the highest wicket-taker with 45 wickets in 26 innings at 24.26 and an economy of 4.50. Agarkar has also bowled the most maidens (19) from either side and has three four-wicket hauls to show for his endeavours.

    ANIL KUMBLE

    Taking up the lone front-line spinner’s slot is the legendary Kumble, who is second to Agarkar as India’s most prolific bowler against Zimbabwe. Kumble’s 34 wickets came at 26.85 apiece with an economy rate of 4.38 and include a personal best of 4-33.

    Given Kumble’s accuracy and unrivalled nous, he is a perfect pick for any surface, whether it provides ample spin or not.

    Anil Kumble

    Anil Kumble

    ZAHEER KHAN

    India dominate the bowling when it comes to these encounters, providing six of the top seven wicket-takers throughout the fixture’s history. But, Zaheer is probably the best, most incisive and dangerous man of the lot. In 15 ODIs, Zaheer has 32 wickets and a stunning average of 17.46, the lowest for anyone with more than 20 wickets. It must be said that Amit Mishra’s 19 have come an average of 16.4.

    As you would expect, Zaheer’s economy rate of 4.21 is incredibly healthy, just below the benchmark set by Javagal Srinath and Harbhajan Singh, whose economy rates of 3.76 and 3.95 respectively are a class apart. Srinath just misses out on a spot on this list, although he is impressive with 30 wickets at 19, in just 17 matches. He will be our 12th Man.

    Zaheer Khan (Getty)

    Zaheer Khan

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