Match Preview-Zimbabwe vs India- 3rd ODI

It is the 3rd match of the 5-match ODI series, wherein India will be looking to wrap up the series with a win, whereas for the home team, it is a do-or-die match.

India : It has been business as usual for the World No 1 team, sweeping past Zimbabwe by 58 runs in the 2nd ODI. But the Indian captain would be little worried seeing the inconsistent batting line up. While India cruised to victory in the first match, the Indian top order collapsed batting first in the 2nd. If not for Dhawan-Karthik partnership and also some ridiculously poor fielding, Zimbabwe would have definitely upset India. The bowling has been pretty good in both of the matches, with Unadkat impressing one and all. The spinners were good, with Amit Mishra chipping in with wickets and Jadeja being economical.

Zimbabwe : Though they have lost both the matches in the series, they have looked good in patches. The batsmen are in pretty good form, but their real concern would be the bowlers. Though they did not have much of a choice in the first match, the bowlers were spot on initially in the 2nd match, only to loose plot in the middle overs. They will also be concerned over their death bowling, considering that a tail-ender took them for cleaners in the last over of the previous match . Also, their fielding has been pretty below-par, considering that they dropped the eventual man-of-the-match Dhawan twice in the previous match.

Match status : India have won the toss and decided to field first

My Take : With India chasing the target, I would fancy a comprehensive win for the visitors. But if the Zimbabwe batsmen and bowlers both click at the right time, the match can be more of an even contest.

India (Playing XI) : Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina,Dinesh Karthik(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Vinay Kumar, Shami Ahmed, Jaidev Unadkat

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) :  Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor(w/c), Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, Michael Chinouya, Brian Vitori, Tendai Chatara