India and Zimbabwe will face off in the third of five T20Is at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, July 10. The series is level at 1-1 after Zimbabwe won the first and India the second match of the series.
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Zimbabwe v India, 3rd T20I
Where: Harare Sports Club, Harare
When: July 10, 1:00 pm local time
India's young side received a shock in the first match on their tour of Zimbabwe as the hosts put up a valiant — and successful — defense of a meagre 115 in the first T20I between the sides last Saturday. However, the visitors hit back the very next day, as Abhishek Sharma's swashbuckling century led them to a first-innings total of 234 and a comprehensive 100-run victory.
On Wednesday, both sides chase a win that will put them ahead in the series. Despite a brittle batting lineup, Zimbabwe's bowlers possess the ability to trouble any opposition. But they will face a group of players, most of whom are eager to prove that they belong at this level. Whichever way the match goes, it is sure to be an exciting watch.
ZIM vs IND: Who are the key players?
Blessing Muzarabani
The undisputed leader of Zimbabwe's fast bowling attack, Blessing Muzarabani took 1-17 in the first T20I before bowling a spell of 1-30 primarily with the new ball even as India racked up 234-2 in the second T20I. He will be important yet again, either in terms of making early inroads or as an enforcer in the middle overs.
Abhishek Sharma
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma followed up a duck on international debut with a bilstering 47-ball 100 in the next game. He may be shifted around in the order, but nevertheless will be looking to make an impact once again as the flagbearer of a new generation of Indian batters in the shortest format of the game.
ZIM vs IND T20I team news
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe named an unchanged XI for the second T20I, after securing a 13-run win in a low scoring match the first time around. They were soundly beaten, though. The batting has largely been disappointing but part of that is down to a lack of options. Richard Ngarava has been declared fit and returns in place of Luke Jongwe, while Tadiwanashe Marumani replaces the injured Innocent Kaia.
India
India are using this series in order to get a good look at their players performing at an international level. They have been boosted by the return of Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal to the squad for this match. Khaleel Ahmed played the first match but not the second, and he will replace Mukesh Kumar for the third.
ZIM vs IND: Playing XI
Zimbabwe
Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.
India
Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed.
Pitch report and ground conditions
The Harare Sports Club is not renowned for being a high-scoring venue. There is often something in the pitch for the bowlers, and tackling the new ball can be challenging, as the Indian batters have spoken about in this series already. But get past the initial burst, and the relatively small boundaries here are there to be crossed. There can be heavy run-scoring in the death overs, provided not too much damage is done with the ball up front.
Team form (most recent first)
Zimbabwe: LWWLL
India: WLWWW
Odds and match prediction
According to Stake, India are favourites to win this match.
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