India vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI preview: Chance for youngsters to showcase their talent

The India-Zimbabwe series doesn’t generate a lot of buzz among the cricketing fans  and in the media because of the low-profile nature of the hosts, and also because of the star Indian players, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin etc.. have been given a much needed rest after a hectic last 6 months of Cricket.  Although MS Dhoni is there to pilot the bunch of inexperienced players.

Zimbabwe are not the same team what they used to be a couple of decades ago. This is one of the reasons why India often decide to rest seniors when it comes to playing a series against Zimbabwe. Last year Ajinkya Rahane led the team in Zimbabwe while all the seniors were rested. In 2013 Virat Kohli was given the responsibility to lead the side in Zimbabwe and in both the occasions India won all the matches comprehensively. It is imperative that India don’t take Zimbabwe lightly even though MS Dhoni describing the tour as a ‘big challenge’ was taking it a bit too far.

The series will be a perfect opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their potential and for some to fix their place in the playing eleven in the absence of senior players. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been given a break while Suresh Raina has perhaps been dropped again. Among the players getting a deserved chance is Manish Pandey. The talented youngster has performed reasonably well in the limited opportunities that he has got to play for Team India. But, he has been unlucky to not to find a permanent place in the playing eleven with most of the slots in the middle order booked. With the Zimbabwe tour, Pandey gets another chance to reclaim his stake. Remember that in the last ODI that Manish Pandey has played for India he scored a dazzling match winning hundred against the Aussies at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier this year.

IPL stars Mandeep Singh and Karun Nair have also been selected. Both the batsmen have played some excellent knocks for their respective franchises and will be looking to carry on the good work into the international arena as well. Another interesting selection is Lokesh Rahul. The stylish Karnataka batsman came into the scene as a Test opener in India’s Tour of Australia 2014-2015, and already has a couple of Test tons to his name. But, as a shorter format batsman he came into the picture in the recently concluded IPL where he surprised everyone with his amazing improvisation and clean striking. His strike-rate of 146.49 was a significant achievement for someone who has a tag of being a batsman only suited for the longest format of the game. Ambati Rayudu also makes a comeback, and will be keen to perform and unlike last time he would like to secure his place in the team.

Just like India’s batting, Indian bowling too doesn’t have the much experience to show. With no Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami or Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah will be the new spearhead of the attack, although many also argue that Bumrah should have been rested for this series as he is playing continuously since the start of the year. Bumrah will be supported by the two left-armers Barinder Sran and Jaydev Unadkat. Dhawal Kulkarni will also feature in the attack, all of whom have represented India before, but are yet to establish themselves. The debutant Yuzvendra Chahal will also be looking to impress everyone with his leg spin.

Zimbabwe will be looking to play spoilsport. Graeme Cremer will lead the team, who himself is a very good bowler. Zimbabwe will be seeking their experienced players to stand up and perform for the team. In the batting department, they have a number of good players, Elton Chigumbura, Vusi Sibanda, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza and Craig Ervine. In the bowling department, the hosts would look up to skipper Cremer himself. Although the rest of the attack is inexperienced, but the likes of Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza and Tendai Chatara can do the job.