There’s not much of a T20 history to speak of between India and Zimbabwe, with only two games played back in 2010, but the hosts will be keen to impress against a side filled with IPL graduates.
Both games will be played in Harare, as they were five years ago when India won both quite easily. The hosts are a stronger side this time, but come into the series having been whitewashed by a second string India in the ODIs.
It seems patronising to suggest Zimbabwe could win these games easily, because they won’t. India may have a A-side on show, but it’s filled with T20 experts, like Robin Uthappa, Harbhajan Singh, and Mohit Sharma.
India have brought Rajasthan Royals batsman Sanju Samson in after Ambati Rayudu was forced to withdraw due to injury. Samson is barely 20, but has been playing for the Royals since his teens and if he gets a debut he can shine.
Zimbabwe are without bowler Tinashe Panyangara and all-rounder Sean Williams. The former has a side strain, while the latter is still complaining of pain in his knee and will be out till the end of the month.
Good news though is that veteran batsman Craig Ervine is fir to play after recovering from a hamstring injury, giving skipper Elton Chigumbura some back up as he seems to be doing the bulk of the scoring these days.
Last Two Head-To-Head Results
2010 Second T20: India won by six wickets in Harare
2010 First T20: India won by seven wickets in Harare
Squads
Zimbabwe squad for first ODI: Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller
India squad: Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Singh, Sanju Samson
Fixtures
First T20: 17 July in Harare
Seocnd T20: 19 July in Harare
