ZIM vs IND Match Prediction
On Wednesday, July 10, in Harare, India and Zimbabwe will square off in the third Twenty20 International of the five-match series. Zimbabwe shocked India in the opening Twenty20 International, but on Sunday, the visitors crushed them by a hundred runs to tie the series. India crushed Zimbabwe for 134 runs, setting a new record for highest team total in a Twenty20 international match in Harare. Of their last five Twenty20 International matches, India cricket team has won four. Three of Zimbabwe’s cricket team previous five games have ended in losses.
THE LIKELY PLAYING XIs FOR INDIA & ZIMBABWE
India likely XI
Batters – Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag
All-Rounders – Abhishek Sharma, Washington Sundar
Wicketkeeper – Dhruv Jurel
Bowlers – Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed
Zimbabwe likely XI
Batters – Innocent Kaia, Milton Shumba, Dion Myers, Wesley Madhevere
All-Rounders – Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett
Wicketkeeper – Clive Madande
Bowlers – Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Luke Jongwe
Statistical Performance (India)
1. RAVI BISHNOI
Ravi Bishnoi has been the standout bowler of the series so far with six wickets in two matches. Bishnoi will again be key in the middle overs in the third T20I.
2. ABHISHEK SHARMA
Abhishek Sharma created history smashing the joint third-fastest T20I ton for India off just 46 deliveries in the second T20I in Harare. Abhishek was in stunning form in the IPL and annihilated the best of opposition bowlers in the powerplay.
Players Who Can Make a Difference (India)
1. Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh is the HOT PICK for India. Rinku hammered 48 runs off just 22 deliveries in the second T20I against Zimbabwe and the highlight of his innings were the five towering sixes!
2. Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag was in devastating form with the bat for the Royals in IPL 2024 and will be looking to cement a place in India’s middle-order. Parag has an average of 48.45 and strike rate of 158.9 in all T20 cricket since 2023!
Statistical Performance (Zimbabwe)
1. SIKANDAR RAZA
Sikandar Raza has flopped with the bat in the first two T20Is against India and will be looking to make amends in the rest of the series. Raza is the best batter in the Zimbabwe XI with 14 T20I fifties.
2. TENDAI CHATARA
Tendai Chatara picked 3 wickets in the first T20I vs India and will be key with the new ball for Zimbabwe. Chatara has bagged 65 T20I wickets in 58 matches.
Players Who Can Make a Difference (Zimbabwe)
1. Blessing Muzarabani
Blessing Muzarabani is an exciting right-arm fast bowler who has bagged 62 wickets in 52 outings for Zimbabwe at a strike rate of 18.5 and economy of 7.29.
2. Luke Jongwe
Luke Jongwe is a wicket-taker in the T20 format and will be key with the ball for Zimbabwe. Jongwe has bagged 66 wickets in 57 T20I innings at a strike rate of 15.4.
TEAM HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
India and Zimbabwe have played each other in 10 T20Is with India winning seven matches.
VENUE AND PITCH
The Harare Sports Club has hosted 43 T20I matches out of which the team batting first has won 25. However, the captain who has won the toss has preferred to chase in 24 matches. The probability of winning the match after winning the toss is 53.5%. The average first innings score is 156/7 while the average score batting second is 138/6. The highest team score at the venue is India’s 234/2 against Zimbabwe in the second T20I match of the current series whereas the lowest total is Zimbabwe’s 90 against Afghanistan in 2022.
The wicket has traditionally suited the pace bowlers in Harare who have accounted for nearly 62% of the wickets at the venue at an average of 24.6, strike rate of 19.1 and economy of 7.8. However, the spinners have also got purchase at the venue with an average of 24.9 and economy rate of 7!
Spinners have outperformed the fast bowlers in this series so far. They have an average of 16.4, strike rate of 14.8 and economy of just 6.7 whereas the corresponding numbers for fast bowlers are 23.9, 17.8 and 8.1!
A bright and sunny day with a maximum temperature of 26 degrees celsius is expected in Harare on Wednesday.
MATCH PREDICTION
India will start favourites in the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Wednesday. India showcased its batting might in the second T20I and the Zimbabwe bowlers had no answer to the carnage. Watch out for Riyan Parag in this match. Zimbabwe need to make inroads with the new ball if they want to compete with India. Sikandar Raza will be their playmaker in the middle-order and needs to score big on Wednesday. Based on the strength of both teams, India have a 78% chance of winning the match.
