After smashing through Zimbabwe in the ODI series, India will target another whitewash when the T20 series come calling. The first of those matches takes place on Saturday with the 1st T20 at the Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe struggled with the bat considerably in the ODI series, unable to stay for prolonged periods at the crease. Their batting in the three matches was defined by the penchant to lose wickets in clumps, just when they looked in a strong position, especially during the second and third one-day internationals.
Get the report of the stunning match HERE
Barinder Sran was one of the main bowlers, who helped dismantle the Zimbabwe batting lineup, with the left-armer enjoying the conditions in Africa, after failing to move the ball as much in Australian conditions, where he made his international debut earlier this year.
"Nothing much has changed (in my bowling), because in Australia, there was a huge difference in the kind of wickets," Sran, who has moved the ball into the right-handers splendidly was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. "It was quite hot there and they were good batting wickets, whereas here, there is some help for the bowlers.
"I have just been focusing and working on those areas where I'm weak, like when I was trying to swing, the ball wasn't coming back in, so I worked on that regularly."
What the hosts will hope is that the shorter format of the game favours their batsmen a little more. There is no need to stick around for long periods in T20 cricket -- a couple of solid partnerships and few smashes in the end overs and you will have a competitive total on the board.
The problem for Zimbabwe, though, is that even if they do put up a decent total, they will be running up against an India side experienced in the T20 game. The entire squad, barring one, have played consistently in the IPL, and with a captain like MS Dhoni at the helm, you know India will make the right decisions on the field.
And if they do, Zimbabwe will have little chance of getting anything out of this 1st T20I, or indeed the rest of the matches. However, Zimbabwe will also look to the two-match T20 series against India from last year, when they fought back to tie it at 1-1. Even winning one match in this 2016 series will be considered as a pretty commendable outcome, even if Dhoni and co. will do everything to stop Zimbabwe from doing that.
Where to Watch Live
India vs Zimbabwe -- 1st T20 -- is set to begin at 1 p.m. local time (4.30 p.m. IST, 12 p.m. BST, 7 a.m. ET). Below is the live streaming and TV information for the match.
India: TV: Ten 3 and Ten 1 HD. Live Streaming: Ten Sports Live.
USA: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
South Afirca and Sub Saharan Africa: TV: SuperSport 8. Live Streaming: SuperSport Live Video.
