India, Zimbabwe grapple with middle-order concerns
Zimbabwe's four-run loss in the first ODI suggests the hosts will continue to competitive against an Indian side missing its senior players
The Preview by Liam Brickhill
11-Jul-2015
Match facts
Sunday, 12 July
Start time 0900 local time (0700 GMT)
Start time 0900 local time (0700 GMT)
Big picture
It was expected that the absence of India's senior players might reduce the gap between India and Zimbabwe in terms of competition, and the first ODI proved to be Zimbabwe's narrowest ever home defeat. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's last-over mettle meant Elton Chigumbura never really had the chance to target the boundary, and India will be buoyed by their 1-0 series lead.
They will, however, also have a few issues to iron out. Apart from Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny, who shored up the innings with a record 160-run stand, the batting looked docile and the performance of the middle order will be a worry. India's bowling is in rather better order, and the spin pair of Harbhajan Singh and Axar Patel will only gain in potency as the pitches tire in the matches to come.
Despite another honourable loss, the margin of defeat suggests Zimbabwe will continue to be competitive. The team balance may be affected by the absence of Tinashe Panyangara, who suffered a minor side strain in the first match and will sit out on Sunday, but Zimbabwe still have the resources to run India close, particularly if their own middle order plays to potential.
The new playing conditions didn't seem to have a huge effect on team tactics on Friday. Both sides kept close-in catchers for most of the match, and India were still able to plunder 90 runs from the last 10 overs despite the presence of five fielders on the boundary. The rules appeared to make it easier to defend a total, however, so the toss may not be as great a factor in these matches as it has been in previous winter series in Zimbabwe.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Zimbabwe: LLLLL
India: WWLLL
Zimbabwe: LLLLL
India: WWLLL
In the spotlight
Ambati Rayudu clearly enjoys Zimbabwean conditions. He made an emotional half-century on debut here two years ago - his 63 easing India to a six-wicket win - and started this tour in even more impressive fashion. Rayudu weathered Zimbabwe's spirited charge with the new ball before shifting gears towards the end of the innings, finishing with a career-best 124 not out. His adhesive qualities may well be needed once again as India look to seal the series.
Elton Chigumbura has undergone various incarnations in his decade as an international cricketer. He's batted as low as No. 9 in the one-day side, but when he was shorn of his pace by a back injury in 2006 his batting contributions started to gain importance. Now Zimbabwe's No. 4, Chigumbura has taken to the move up the order with aplomb. He started with 54 in the first T20 against Pakistan in May, and has now added two centuries in the same position in ODIs.
Team news
Tinashe Panyangara pulled up short with a side strain in his 10th over in the first ODI and will sit out Sunday's game. While there isn't a clear like-for-like replacement in the squad, Prosper Utseya may be an option, especially as he will help Zimbabwe control the middle overs of the innings, where they let things slip in the first match.
Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Chamu Chibhabha, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Elton Chigumbura (captain), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Graeme Cremer, 10 Donald Tiripano, 11 Brian Vitori.
India have little reason to change their playing XI, and the contingent of middle order hopefuls will be eager to capitalise on another chance to showcase their talent.
India (probable): 1 M Vijay, 2 Ajinkya Rahane (captain), 3 Ambati Rayudu, 4 Manoj Tiwary, 5 Robin Uthappa (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Stuart Binny, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Axar Patel, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11 Dhawal Kulkarni.
Pitch and conditions
The first hour will remain a challenging one for batsmen against the new ball, but the opening match showed there was profit in occupying the crease. Without the merest hint of rain about, the pitch will remain dry and is expected to ease out during the day.
Stats and trivia
- Ambati Rayudu has been dismissed only twice in four innings in Zimbabwe and has scored 225 at an average of 112.5.
- In nine innings at No. 4 for Zimbabwe, Elton Chigumbura has scored 427 runs at an average of 61.00 and a strike rate of 95.73.
- In the eight ODIs that have been played at Harare Sports Club in the month of July, the average first innings score is 245. Chasing doesn't seem to be an advantage either, with a 4-4 split in wins batting first and second.
Quotes
"If we get a chance to bat up front again early in the morning it's crucial, with the Dukes ball that does swing and seam a bit, that we've got to give the bowlers a lot more respect."
Stuart Binny urges caution if India are to overcome testing new-ball conditions unscathed.
Stuart Binny urges caution if India are to overcome testing new-ball conditions unscathed.
"Obviously when you play at this level the main thing is to be consistent, and I'm going to try by all means to ride on the way I'm playing at the moment."
Elton Chigumbura has taken to the No. 4 position for Zimbabwe very naturally, and is their form player heading into the second match.
Elton Chigumbura has taken to the No. 4 position for Zimbabwe very naturally, and is their form player heading into the second match.
Liam Brickhill is a freelance journalist based in Cape Town