IND vs ZIM 1st ODI: All eyes will be on captain KL Rahul in the first ODI, India will try to bench strength

Harare: All eyes will be on India captain form and fitness of KL Rahul’ahead of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting on Thursday. Considered an integral part of India’s top order in the T20 format. KL Rahul will be looking to regain his familiar rhythm in this series. Rahul returned to the team after two months due to a sports hernia operation. The challenge before him will be to retain the role of opener in the T20 team and bat aggressively with the first ball.

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Rohit Sharma’s eyes will not be only on runs of KL Rahul

Coach Rahul Dravid and regular skipper Rohit Sharma will not only have their eyes on KL Rahul’s runs. But will also want to see how the runs are scored. The Indian team has to play the first match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on August 28. At the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe chased down the target of 300 and 290 runs against Bangladesh recently. In such a situation, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson will be trying to play big innings.

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India also have bowlers like Mohammad Siraj, famous Krishna, Deepak Chahar and Kuldeep Yadav while all-rounders like Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel. On the other hand, after defeating Bangladesh. Zimbabwe will try to give a tough challenge to a strong team like India. The hosts will expect good batting performances from Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabwa and Innocent Keiya.

Like the country in the last two decades, the condition of Zimbabwe’s cricket has also been dire.

There was a time when Zimbabwe had players like the Flower brothers (Grant and Andy), Heath Streak, Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwins and Henry Olanga. Like the country in the last two decades. The condition of Zimbabwean cricket has also been dilapidated and this affected the performance of the team. The Indian team’s tour of Zimbabwe has generally been considered India’s attempt to improve the financial condition of the host board. The TV and digital rights of these three matches will earn Zimbabwe Cricket a lot.

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On the cricket side, the selectors will get a chance to test the bench strength. That can play the 50-over World Cup in 2023. India has so many talented players at the moment that India can field three different teams in all three formats. Deepak Chahar, who returned to the team after six months, and Kuldeep. Who is slowly gaining momentum, will be the eyes of the selectors. Rahul Tripathi, who performed well in the IPL, also has a chance to replicate that momentum while playing for the Indian team.

The two teams are as follows:

India: KL Rahul (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prashant Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar Shahbaz Ahmed.

Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabwa (capt), Ryan Burle, Tanaka Chiwanga, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Keia, T Caetano, Clive Madande, Wesley M, T Marumani, Jan Masara, Tony Munyonga, Richard Angarawa, Victor N, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano.

Match Time: 12:45 pm onwards.