ZIM vs IND 1st ODI: Preview, Probable Playing XI, Pitch and Weather

ZIM vs IND 1st ODI: India will hope to record another series win as they will lock horns with Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI series. The first One Day International between the two sides will be conducted at the Harare Sports Club on August 18, Thursday.

The Men in Blue have named a second-string side for the tour. Many senior players have been given a break with the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in line. India will have the momentum on their side as they delivered a dominating performance in their last two One Day series. 

The visitors defeated England by 2-1 while they also caused a whitewash for West Indies by 3-0 in the three-match ODI series. Meanwhile, all the eyes will be on the Indian skipper KL Rahul on Thursday. 

Following surgery and rehabilitation, Rahul will be playing a competitive cricket match for the first time since May. It will be a crucial tour for the opening batter as he will hope to get in form. 

Also Read: All You Need To Know About Jadeja And CSK Controversy

Coming to Zimbabwe, they will also be high on momentum. The host recently caused a stir in the cricket fraternity by defeating Bangladesh by 2-1 in a three-match T20I and ODI series. 

Zimbabwe will be missing the services of their skipper, Craig Ervine, due to an injury while Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza have also been ruled out. In the absence of Ervine, Regis Chakvbva will be leading the side. 

ZIM vs IND 1st ODI Match Details

Pitch Condition

The pitch at the Harare Sports Club has something to offer to both the batters and the bowlers. The surface will give the bowlers extra seam and bounce in the first innings. Thus, the team batting first will be at a disadvantage. Further, more extended boundaries can make the life of batters difficult. The average first innings score at Harare reads 231 runs. 

Weather

There will be no interruption from the weather as India will have a go at Zimbabwe on Tuesday. The forecast suggests sunny conditions with temperatures ranging from 21 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius. The precipitation chances are nil, while we expect the humidity and wind speed to be around 24 percent and 10 km/h.

Probable Playing XI

India: Shardul Thakur, Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Avesh Khan.

Zimbabwe: Tony Munyonga, Tadiwamashe Marumani, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Innocent Kaia, Regis Chakabva (c & wk), Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza

ZIM Vs IND squads

India Squad: Prasidh Krishna, KL Rahul (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shahbaz Ahmed

Watch: IND Tour of Zimbabwe Squad | Web Story

Zimbabwe Squad: Innocent Kaia, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Regis Chakabva (c), Tanaka Chivanga, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, John Masara, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano, Clive Madande, Wesley Madhevere