India vs Zimbabwe 2016, 1st T20: Live Streaming Info, Match Preview, Probable line-ups and Team News

Zimbabweans have certainly found it extremely difficult to get going so far against a young Indian Cricket side oozing with talent but they would love to turn it around in the 3 match T20 series beginning on Saturday. They were absolutely decimated by the Indians in the ODI series and a change in format might just lift their sagging spirits a wee bit as they would fancy themselves to do better in the shortest format of the game in well-known home conditions.

Ideally, Zimbabwe would love to take the game deep and hope that the inexperienced visitors crumble under pressure. Am I sounding too optimistic? Maybe, but the game will be well served if this tournament is fought keenly.

Indians have been on the money ever since they landed on the African Nation’s soil and they would want to reprise their ODI performance in this T20 series as well. Dhoni will settle for nothing less than a 3-0 whitewash and his ruthless young men will give it all to make sure they beat the hosts comprehensively.

We could see some changes in composition for both the sides and some of the untested men could get their opportunities in this series.

Where to watch LIVE: Ten 1 HD and Ten 3 in India

Pitch report: The pitch will have something for the quicker bowlers. A late start will ensure that there will not be too much moisture in the wicket. The team winning the toss should opt to field first.

Match Date: June 18, 2016

Match Timings: 1630 hrs IST

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Weather Report: To remain pleasant and sunny with maximum temperatures of 22-degree celsius. No chance of rain.

Team news for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe have lost a couple of their key players, namely Sean Williams and Craig Ervine to injuries. Senior men like Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, and Chamu Chibhabha need to do the bulk of the scoring if Zimbabwe need to post a good total or they need to chase down a sizeable score.

Elton Chigumbura had a woeful ODI series and he would love to redeem himself here. Much was expected from Richmond Mutumbami but he has flattered to deceive. Even Sikandar Raza, another senior member, would like to put the scars of the ODI series behind him and start afresh.

The trio of Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano, and Neville Madziva will look to get their names in the wickets column and skipper Graeme Cremer would like to chip in with a couple of wickets in the middle with his leg spin. Cremer needs to lead from the front to instill belief amongst his players.

Zimbabwe Probable XI
1. Chamu Chibhabha 2. Hamilton Masakadza 3. Vusi Sibanda 4. Malcolm Waller 5. Sikandar Raza 6. Elton Chigumbura 7. Richmond Mutumbami(wk) 8. Graeme Cremer (C) 9. Neville Madziva 10. Tendai Chatara 11. Donald Tiripano

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Team news for India

India will probably stick to the same eleven that played in the 3rd ODI couple of days back. This would mean other fringe players like Mandeep Singh and Karun Nair will have to wait for their turn. KL Rahul has been in majestic form ever since he scored that wonderful century on debut last week.

Manish Pandey, the supremely talented middle order batsman, has faced just one ball so far in this tour and the likes of Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni haven’t spent any time in the middle thanks to some woeful display so far by the Zimbabweans. 

Axar Patel has done a very good holding job and his T20 experience will come in handy when he takes the field on Saturday. Yuzvendra Chahal has troubled the opposition with his variations and he would want to pick crucial wickets in the middle.

Jasprit Bumrah and Dhawal Kulkarni are automatic selections given their excellent T20 credentials and their ability to bowl brilliantly in the death overs. Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat could may his way into the eleven if the Indian think tank decides to rest the present left arm seamer in the team, Barinder Sran.

India Probable XI 

1. KL Rahul 2. Faiz Fazal 3. Ambati Rayudu 4. Manish Pandey 5. Kedar Jadhav 6. MS Dhoni (c & wk) 7. Axar Patel 8. Yuzvendra Chahal 9. Dhawal Kulkarni 10. Barinder Sran/Jaydev Unadkat 11. Jasprit Bumrah