The way Zimbabwe started this series and the way they are ending it has several light years stretching between them. Nevertheless, all is not lost if they have learned a thing or two. With thing number one being the flaws in their fielding and thing number two, the team needs to be more synchronized to cash on the chances.
For India, plenty of positives have emerged, the most significant being that the future of their batting is in safe hands. Shubman Gill would like to rest in the knowledge that the series has ended with way more to take home than just a trophy.
Team Overview:
Yashasvi Jaiswal in the fourth T20I showed why many pin India’s hopes on him. But the opening conundrum still persists for the team, with Gill playing back-to-back decent knocks and Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jaiswal showing how they take bowlers to cleaners for fun. As if things were less complex, Abhishek Sharma’s hundred has made the situation more confusing. While many would not want Gill to open owing to his erratic performances so far, Indian management has the last call and their last call is very definitely with the Skipper. Gill and Jaiswal have shown to be more comfortable batting with each other, with two 150+ runs partnerships between them but taking the worries back to square one, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma look promising as well. Pair this with the main team’s return where Suryakumar Yadav has already cemented his place at one down. Lots of thinking for management before the next tour begins.
It’s unfair to criticize the Chevrons for losing the series, given that most of the players are themselves young with little to no experience playing against high-ranked teams. Top-order batters as well as fielding skills need to be honed if they want to put in impressive performances. The youngsters also need to be reminded that it is not Sikandar Raza vs Oppositions each time, they need to chip in equally if not more. The last game would give them the opportunity to fearlessly take on the Indian team and make the most of it.
Head-to-head Matches:
Both Zimbabwe and India have played twelve games against each other so far. Zimbabwe won three games of these and fell to the Indian juggernaut in nine games.
Weather and Pitch report:
Like the rest of the games, the rainfall is expected to stay away from the ground. Harare has shown to be a decent venue throughout the series with good weather and even better playing conditions. The deck in the last game assisted the batters aplenty and the same can be expected in the last game. The bowlers, especially in the second innings, would need to up their game a notch to survive against the probable onslaught.
Prediction:
It seems unreal to expect India to let go of the opportunity to end the series with a win. Zimbabwe, though, have nothing at stake. Both teams would (And should) give it their all but even then it would be difficult to contain the Indian Frankenstein.
Where to Watch:
India – Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4, and Sony Sports Ten 5) and Sony Liv App (Live Streaming)
Rest of the Word: Crichd.tv (Live Streaming)
