India out to prove Test loss was a fluke
23 June 2001
Having failed to clinch the Test series, India will look to reassert
their supremacy over Zimbabwe when they take on the hosts in their
opening match of the triangular one-day series at Harare on Sunday.
With a 26-6 win-loss record, India obviously have an edge over their
rivals and start favourites against a home side devoid of the
charismatic Andy Flower and with a new captain at the helm.
Grant Flower took over as the new captain of Zimbabwe after Heath
Streak stepped down just ahead of the opening match against West
Indies today.
That the Indians have left the setback of the four-wicket loss in the
second Test far behind was in evidence in the thumping ten-wicket win
over Zimbabwe A in a practice match yesterday.
But probably the most important reason for the Indians to feel
confident about their prospects would be the absence of Andy Flower,
the most prolific Zimbabwean scorer against India.
For the same reason, Zimbabwe would be a bit worried, for it is the
inspirational Andy Flower around whom the entire innings of the team
revolves. He has played the sheet anchor role on so many ocassions
that it has become almost impossible to think of a Zimbabwe side
without him.
The Indians have some more reasons to cheer about. The four players
called especially for the one-dayers looked in fine touch in the
practice match yesterday with Virendra Sehwag making a blistering
unbeaten 75 off just 53 balls. Sehwag is a certainty for tomorrow's
match along with Hemang Badani who too has been quite consistent in
the limited overs matches.
Captain Sourav Ganguly must be feeling a little better after scoring a
few runs yesterday and the team would be hoping his bad run with the
bat finally gets over here.
Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid have all looked good
here though the big innings has eluded them. They have got accustomed
to the conditions though they need to adhere to Streak's advice of
exercising a bit more patience while batting.
All-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi and middle-order batsman Dinesh
Mongia, who joined the one-day team along with Sehwag and fast bowler
Harvinder Singh, would find it difficult to make it to the team
considering they are yet to have a feel of the conditions here.
It would be interesting to see the bowling composition of the team.
With Delhi seamer Ashish Nehra being asked to stay back after
performing exceedingly well in the Test series, India have four pace
options and at least three of them are certain to play considering the
seamer-friendly wickets here.
For Zimbabwe, 17-year-old schoolboy Tatenda Taibu, who makes his debut
against West Indies today, has been entrusted with the job of keeping
the wickets in the place of Andy Flower.
In the absence of Andy Flower, his brother and new captain Grant
Flower, who had a tremendous Test series against India, will have to
shoulder the major responsibility. Stuart Carlisle and Dion Ebrahim
have shown their hunger for runs and Alistair Campbell is long overdue
for a big innings.
In the bowling department, David Mutendera and Mluleki Nkala form a
formidable combination in the company of Streak and Andy Blignaut.
Grant Flower and Brian Murphy will take care of the spin department.
The teams (from):
India: Saurav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul
Dravid, Hemang Badani, Virendra Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, Reetinder Singh
Sodhi, Samir Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Debasish Mohanty,
Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra, Harvinder Singh.
Zimbabwe: Grant Flower (capt), Alistair Campbell, Dion Ebrahim, Stuart
Carlisle, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak, Brian Murphy, Mluleki Nkala,
Andy Blignaut, Tatenda Taibu, Dirk Viljoen, David Mutendera.
© PTI
Teams
|
India,
Zimbabwe.
|
Players/Umpires
|
Sourav Ganguly,
Sachin Tendulkar,
VVS Laxman,
Rahul Dravid,
Hemang Badani,
Harbhajan Singh,
Reetinder Sodhi,
Ashish Nehra,
Grant Flower,
Andy Flower,
Alistair Campbell,
Heath Streak,
Andy Blignaut,
Tatenda Taibu,
Dirk Viljoen.
|
Tours
|
India in Zimbabwe
|
Tournaments
|
Coca-Cola Cup (Zimbabwe) |