Zimbabwe vs India 2nd ODI: Focus on game time for KL Rahul as India seek series win
India Today
India tour of Zimbabwe: Captain KL Rahul will be hopeful of getting some time in the middle with the bat as India look to seal an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series in Harare on Saturday.
India would want to seal a 2-0 unbeatable lead when they take on Zimbabwe in the 2nd of a 3-match ODI series in Harare on Saturday, August 20 but the focus will be more on giving game time to their captain KL Rahul, who is looking to get back into rhythm in the lead-up to the Asia Cup 2022, starting August 27 in the UAE.
India gave Zimbabwe a reality check as the hosts were hammered by 10 wickets after they posted just 186 on the board in the first ODI on Thursday. Zimbabwe had headed into the series on the back of a T20I and an ODI series win over Bangladesh but the gulf in class between them and India was evident.
Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna and Axar Patel picked up 3 wickets each before Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill hit 81 and 82 not out, respectively as India won with 19.1 overs and 10 wickets to spare in the series opener.
India will look to put runs on the board if they win the toss despite the pitch and conditions offering help to the fast bowlers.It will be a good test for their bowlers who will get an opportunity to showcase their skills in hot and humid conditions in the afternoon.
Fit-again Deepak Chahar, who was playing his first competitive outing since the West Indies series before IPL 2022, found his rhythm, overcoming a shaky start in helpful conditions. Chahar picked up 3 wickets, swinging the ball both ways as he put his hands up amid a stiff race for T20 World Cup spots.
KL Rahul, who has been appointed vice-captain for Asia Cup despite not having played a T20I this year, would want to spend some time in the middle. The India captain has preferred No. 5 in ODIs but he is expected to bat higher up the order to regain some form ahead of the Asia Cup where India meet Pakistan in the opener in Dubai on August 28.
Former India fast bowler Dodda Ganesh had pointed out how India missed an opportunity to give KL Rahul an opportunity at the top as Dhawan and Gill made light work of a below-par target in the first ODI.
