Cricket News: Three things to look forward to in the ODI series against Zimbabwe

The hosts' Zimbabwe will be highest in confidence after winning both the ODI and T20I series against Bangladesh. On the other hand, India got another chance to test a few of their options before they went for the big tournament.

 

Here are three things team India will look forward to in this three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.

 

Getting India's main opener back - KL Rahul

 

KL Rahul has been absent from international cricket for about two months recovering from a sports hernia followed by covid. 

 

The batter is making a comeback stepping in the shoes of captaincy for Men in Blue on tour to Zimbabwe before heading for Asia Cup 2022. His comeback will hold a lot of attention and comments on his form and fitness. 

"That (Rahul's lack of cricket) would be a concern for India," Mahela Jayawardene told ICC. "He has been out for a little while since the IPL, so having game time is quite crucial especially out there in the middle. The sooner he can get some game time and get that confidence back, is always going to help him, as well as the national team."

His biggest challenge would be to regain the role of an aggressive opener that fits with the current team, India's philosophy of firing from ball one. So, it will not just be the number of runs he will be firing on this tour; it will also test his approach to fetching the score.   

Chance to prove as a robust middle-order option

Like the dilemma for top and middle order arose after the squad for Asia Cup got announced, the confusion remains the same for the team announced against Zimbabwe. 

Including seven pure batters in the squad, the batting order would highly depend on the motive that Indian management sought to resolve from this tour. 

Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill opened for India on the West Indies tour and emerged as a successful opening pair. If India continues with the same team, Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul become the options for the middle order. 

Deepak Hooda likely comes in at three, whereas skipper KL Rahul provides a cushion to the comparatively inexperienced batting line-up by coming in at number four. 

However, suppose his role for Asia Cup as an opener will be decided alongside Rohit Sharma. In that case, there are chances of him opening with Shikhar Dhawan, followed by Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson down the order. 

Arshdeep Singh continues to learn

One of the most incredible finds for the Indian team in the last few series is the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. 

The pacer did exceedingly well at his T20I debut against England to return with a figure of 2/18, carrying forward which he earned the Player of the Series award against West Indies. He has stunned everyone with his ability to nail yorkers at will and approach the game with utmost composure in death overs. 

India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said, "The last couple of games we played, Arsh and Avesh have shown their ability to perform under pressure and it is something I am very happy with. What impresses me most is the fact how much they want to learn and improve every single day." 

While the learning and improving the attitude of the young pacer impressed the coach, India's experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar too praised the bowler. He said, "The best thing about him is that he knows exactly what is required. He knows exactly what he wants to do; he thinks a lot about his game." 

Before the Asia Cup, this tour is another international exposure that will prepare him. Like the last series, he will be given balls in different situations that'll prepare him well and come out as in-form and a potential trump card for India.