Zimbabwe vs India Preview & Prediction | Second International T20
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Zimbabwe stunned a second-string India side in the opening T20i of this five-game series in a low-scoring encounter and now look to back that up less than 24 hours later.
DATE/TIME: Sunday 7th July 2024: UK – 12:00pm / INDIA – 4.30pm / US EST – 7:00am / US PST – 4:00am
VENUE: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
WEATHER: Another hot day with bright sunshine and light winds, as temperatures hit 23c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / INDIA – Sony Sports / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Not televised / INDIA – SonyLIV / US – Willow TV website
ZIMBABWE FORM: CAN SHOCK WIN TRIGGER NEW-FOUND LIFE INTO HOME SIDE
Despite playing a weakened opposition, nothing can take away the impressive nature of Zimbabwe’s win in the first T20i, playing on difficult pitch for batting. On a turning track, the hosts accumulated 115/9 from their 20 overs, which turned out to be a winning score as their bowlers strangled India into submission after taking four powerplay wickets.
LAST FIVE: WWLLL
INDIA FORM: VISITORS TASTE FIRST DEFEAT OF 2024 IN SHORTEST FORM OF THE GAME
Whilst India still put out a very strong team despite it being incomparable with the side who lifted the ICC T20 World Cup last weekend, their inexperience playing T20i cricket on a surface so bowler friendly ultimately cost them. Chasing 116, the tourists were reduced to 47/6 and eventually bowled out for just 102 with one ball to spare.
LAST FIVE: LWWWW
ZIMBABWE BETTING ANALYSIS
We touched upon Sikandar Raza in our preview of the first match and the talismanic all-rounder’s spin-bowling came to the fore, taking three crucial wickets. Assuming the pitch used for the second T20i also offers substantial turn, a shrewd move would be to invest in the Zimbabwean captain with the ball. Back Raza to record another 2+ wickets this time round.
Once again, it makes sense to take advantage of a fragile Zimbabwe top order from a betting perspective, under the assumption that batting conditions won’t be easy. The openers could only put on six runs for the first wicket on Saturday and it’s well worth backing Zimbabwe to once again accumulate an under 15.5 run opening partnership.
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
Selected to captain this India side, Shubman Gill was always going to be a key run-scorer across this series and he was comfortably the most fluent with the bat in the first T20i, scoring 31 runs from 29 balls. His ability is obvious and warrants backing again, this time to score 20+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market. A safer bet such as this should be prioritised in-case we see another minefield of a pitch.
Spin-bowler Ravi Bishnoi was afforded plenty of joy, recording figures of 4/13 whilst teammate Washington Sundar managed 2/11. A small stake on both spinners to finish as India’s top bowler over the course of the second T20i is to be seriously considered here, with each constant wicket-taking threats for the tourists.
ZIMBABWE VS INDIA EXPERT PREDICTION
If we’re going to see another match played on a surface that favours the bowlers and is conducive to spin, then expect another low-scoring contest in Harare. The difference here though is that India are likely to be significantly more prepared for it and should react as appropriate, with the batters in particular perhaps approaching things in a smarter way.
It’s hard not to see a reaction from India following Saturday’s defeat and you’d expect them to come back strongly. Two games in as many days will take a lot out of the Zimbabwean bowlers as well when considering the match intensity. Back India to respond well and level the series.
ZIMBABWE VS INDIA TIP: INDIA TO WIN
