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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Dominant India eye ODI whitewash against Zimbabwe

Dominant India eye ODI whitewash against Zimbabwe

Source: PTI
Last updated on: June 14, 2016 14:15 IST
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- Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave enough hints on changes in the playing eleven after two easy wins against the hosts, who have proved no match even for a second-string Indian team.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

IMAGE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, right, during the Indian team's training session in Harare. Photograph courtesy: BCCI

Having already clinched the series, India would look to hand Zimbabwe a third successive whitewash while testing more youngsters when they take on the lacklustre hosts in the third and final One-day International, in Harare, on Wednesday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave enough hints on changes in the playing eleven after two easy wins against the hosts, who have proved no match even for a second-string Indian team.

Zimbabwe hardly made India break a sweat as they managed just 168 and 126 after being put into bat in the two matches. India's young batting line-up eased to victories in both the games, winning by nine and eight wickets respectively to seal the three-match series 2-0.

So far, the series has been a lopsided affair and fans of either side will be hoping for a closer contest at the Harare Sports Club to help generate some interest in the short rubber, to be followed by three T20 Internationals at the same venue.

A win in the third ODI will give India a third successive series clean-sweep after the triumphs in 2013 and 2015.

Going by the words of skipper Dhoni, more changes are likely in the Indian batting order as only the top three batsmen have got substantial time in the middle.

KL Rahul

IMAGE: India opener KL Rahul hits out. Photograph courtesy: BCCI

Opener Lokesh Rahul, who became the first Indian to hit a century on his ODI debut in the first match, might be rested alongside number three Ambati Rayudu. The two have by far faced the most number of deliveries -- 165 and 164 respectively in the two games.

If they are indeed benched, uncapped Faiz Fazal could open with Karun Nair, who made 39 off 68 balls in the run chase on Monday after a failure in the first match.

Rayudu's place might go to another uncapped Punjab batsman Mandeep Singh, while Maharashtra's experienced batsman Kedar Jadhav could also be in the running for a place in the middle order.

Barring the top three, the rest of the batsmen have not got an outing, so any other change in that department looks unlikely.

In the fast bowling department, Dhoni has the option to rest either Barinder Sran, Dhawal Kulkarni or Jasprit Bumrah as all three performed quite well so far.

If any of them is left out, the recalled Jaydev Unadkat might get a look in and so could all-rounder Rishi Dhawan, who made his India debut during the ODI series in Australia in January.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who made the cut after a good showing in the Indian Premier League, has impressed in the two chances he has got, including a three-wicket haul in the second match.

If off-spinner Jayant Yadav makes his debut in the third and final ODI, either Chahal or Axar Patel could be rested.

A more batting-friendly pitch than the surfaces used so far would also add the much-needed spice to the game. Though the wicket used on Monday was better than the series opener, stroke-making remains a challenge.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, can only hope to improve after two below-par performances and give their fans something to cheer about. Their batsmen have failed to apply themselves against a spirited Indian attack, which has made most of the bowling-friendly conditions.

IMAGE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, left, with Zimbabwe coach Makhaya Ntini. Photograph courtesy: BCCI

Zimbabwe did manage to gain some flow into the innings in the second ODI, largely due to the effort of Vusi Sibanda, who ended up with a gritty 53 off 69 balls and shared a 67-run stand with Sikandar Raza.

However, that partnership was the lone positive for the minnows, who collapsed to 126 all out after losing their last six men for 20 runs.

Captain Graeme Cremer partly blamed the toss for the poor batting effort after the last game before adding that his boys were capable of putting up a much better show.

On the bowling front, Zimbabwe have kept things tight with the new ball but that has not helped them as the bowlers have not looked like taking wickets.

Cremer will be hoping to get lucky with the toss and then the under-pressure batters to give his bowlers something to defend.

Even with a host of changes, India are expected to breeze through in the final match, but a closer contest would be more than welcome.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, w/k), KL Rahul, Faiz Fazal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Rishi Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni, Axar Patel.

Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (captain), Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Peter Moor, Twanada Mupariwa, Richard Mutumbami (w/k), Taurai Muzarabani, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams.

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