Zimbabwe opened the five-match series with a famous win against T20 World Cup champions. They defeated an inexperienced Indian unit by 13 runs, but the jubilation was short-lived as Shubman Gill and Co levelled the series 1-1 with a huge win in the second T20I.
The hosts were blown away by 100 runs and will now aim to go top when the two teams face each other in the third match on Wednesday, July 10 at the Harare Sports Club. In the last match, Abhishek Sharma and the rest took the Zimbabwean bowlers to the cleaners as they scored a massive 234 runs in 20 overs. Apart from Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett, none of the top-order batters fared well. Will the home side make any changes to their line-up in the crucial contest?
Here is the prediction for Zimbabwe in the 3rd T20 against India:
Openers: Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani
Wessly Madhevere did a decent job in the last match, scoring 43 off 39 including three fours and one sixes. But despite being at the crease till the 17th over, he was unable to get a big score. Tadiwanashe Marumani is likely to replace the struggling Innocent Kaia at the top order. Kaia was dismissed for a golden duck in the opener and fell for just four runs in the previous match.
Middle-order: Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk)
The middle order is a major concern for Zimbabwe. Dion Myers scored a 22-ball 23 in the first match but was dismissed for a duck in the second. The right-hander is expected to get another chance to prove his mettle. Johnathan Campbell failed in matches (0 off 1, 10 off 18) and the upcoming match could be his last chance in the series. Keeper-batter Clive Madande is also in the same boat as he struggled to find runs so far in the series.
All-rounders: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett
Sikandar Raza was adjudged Player of the Match in the series opener as the captain led the team from the front with a brilliant three-wicket haul. However, the spin all-rounder failed to maintain the consistency and conceded an economy of over 11.00 in the previous match. Moreover, he has yet to shine with the bat in the series.
Brian Bennett is the second-highest run-getter for Zimbabwe with 48 runs at a staggering strike rate of 200.00. Batting at No. 3, the right-hander slammed a blazing 26 off 9 balls in the last match. Notably, Bennett was brilliant with the ball in the first match as he registered a wicket maiden in his only over.
Bowlers: Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe
Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Luke Jongwe will take care of the pace Zimbabwe unit. All three of them had a forgettable outing in the previous match as the Indian youngsters hammered them to all parts of the ground.
Notably, Chatara was impressive in the first match, picking up three wickets at an economy of 4.20. Wellington Masakadza will be the specialist spinner for the side. The left-handed orthodox bowler did not perform as expected but will look to do so in the upcoming matches.
Zimbabwe’s Predicted XI vs India for 3rd T20I:
Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.
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