When India takes on Zimbabwe in a three-match series commencing on Thursday in the 50-over format, captain KL Rahul’s form and health will be closely watched.
Rahul wants to make the most of his three games as the opener against Regis Chakabva’s team because he is one of the top-order players for India in the T20 World Cup.
After a two-month layoff during which he underwent sports hernia surgery, Rahul’s immediate objective is to maintain his opening position in T20 cricket and adjust to the team’s concept of going all out from ball one.
When evaluating Rahul’s performance in Zimbabwe, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid won’t simply be focusing on runs.
They would rather observe his strategy and the way he is getting runs, which he will need to adjust before the opening Asia Cup match against Pakistan on August 28.
India’s batting line-up with Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, and Sanju Samson will undoubtedly prove to be more than a handful for the hosts on the Harare Sports Club batting belters where Zimbabwe chased down Bangladesh’s 300 plus and 290-odd targets in consecutive games in the recently concluded series.
Teams –
Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (captain), Ryan Burl, Tanaka Chivanga, Bradley Evans , Luke Jongwe , Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano , Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, John Masara, Tony Munyonga , Richard Ngarava , Victor Nyauchi , Sikandar Raza , Milton Shumba , Donald Tiripano
India: KL Rahul (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shahbaz Ahmed.
