India vs Zimbabwe Match Prediction: Who will win today's 3rd T20I match?
Zimbabwe sprung a big surprise in the opening game of the five-match T20I series, but as they learned in the last game, a team as good as India are going to punish them for any mistakes. Abhishek Sharma led an all-out attack on the home side's bowling, with India running out winners by 100 runs to emphatically pull level in the rubber.
Zimbabwe would've learned a tough lesson by now, if they didn't know it already. There's no substitute to perfect execution, which was one of the biggest reasons behind their win in the series opener. They would've also realized that the Men in Blue are not to be trifled with, even if they aren't anywhere near full strength.
Nevertheless, margin of victory doesn't matter in a bilateral series. All that matters is that the scoreline is 1-1, and that there are three games left to play. The first of those remaining games will be contested on Wednesday, July 10 at the vibrant Harare Sports Club.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson are back for India, who have a serious selection dilemma on their hands. Meanwhile, Richard Ngarava, who missed the first T20Is, could be available if he clears a fitness test on the morning of the match.
Can India sustain the momentum of their thumping win in the second T20I? Or will Zimbabwe put the defeat behind them and take heart from their memorable victory in the series opener to edge ahead once again?
IND vs ZIM 2024: India look to sustain momentum in Harare
Can India find a way to fit so many top and middle-order batters into one lineup? The composition of their squad raises important questions regarding their ideal combination, which could feature at least a couple of players batting out of position.
Nevertheless, even if that's the case, India have enough firepower and brains to take the Zimbabwe bowling attack to the cleaners. Blessing Muzarabani has been threatening, and the spinners have looked good in patches too, but Zimbabwe are clearly outmatched in that department.
The hosts' concerns only worsen in the batting unit. Innocent Kaia has looked all at sea at the top of the order, and while Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett have put up a fight, neither batter has been able to get stuck in and play a match-defining big knock.
If the wicket in Harare is similar to the one that was dished out in the first T20I, Zimbabwe will be in with a chance. However, on a true batting track, India's bowling might will shine through and likely render the hosts' efforts with the bat unsuccessful.
On the whole, India are the obvious favorites for this encounter. And while recent history indicates that the result isn't a foregone conclusion, the Men in Blue can be backed to get over the line in comfortable fashion on Wednesday.
Prediction: India to win the 3rd T20I vs Zimbabwe.