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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: Wednesday 10th July 2024: UK – 5:00pm / INDIA – 9.30pm / US EST – 12:00am / US PST – 9:00am
VENUE: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
WEATHER: Dry with clear skies, light winds and temperatures which should drop below the 20s as this game goes on.
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: HOST BLOWN AWAY AND PEGGED AWAY IN SECOND GAME
Following their shock win in the opening match of this five-game series, Zimbabwe felt the wrath of India in the second T20i this past Sunday, the tourists thrashing Zimbabwe by exactly 100 runs after the home side collapsed chasing an unlikely 235 to win, bowled out for just 134 in response.
LAST FIVE: LWWLL
INDIA FORM: BACK TO WINNING WAYS THANKS TO ABHISHEK CENTURY
After winning the toss and batting first last time out, India took full advantage with a glorious 100 by opener Abhishek Sharma and unbeaten 77 by Ruturaj Gaikwad helping them rack up 234/2 with Rinku Singh also not out on 48 from just 22 balls. Such a score was always going to win out and India duly levelled the series.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
ZIMBABWE BETTING ANALYSIS
A positive from Zimbabwe’s perspective in the second T20i was the performance of Wesley Madhevere, the opener offering some resistance with 43 runs from 39 balls. They’ll need him to contribute significantly to give themselves the best chance of victory here and a small stake on Madhevere to finish as Zimbabwe’s top batter here could prove a shrewd move.
Bowler Blessing Muzarabani took the early wicket of Shubman Gill in the powerplay but was afforded little success after that as the Indian batters made hay. This doesn’t take away Muzarabani’s threat though with the ball and backing him to take 2+ wickets in the third T20i warrants consideration.
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
To score a century last time out will have done the confidence of Abhishek Sharma the world of good. It would be no surprise to see him back that up with another high score on this occasion with him now back in good touch, so explore betting on the opener to record a score of 30+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market.
Spin-bowler Ravi Bishnoi backed him his four wickets taken in the opening match of the series with figures of 2/11 on Sunday. Zimbabwe’s batters have struggled to play Bishnoi all series so far and backing him to continue in the same vein by finishing as India’s top bowler on Wednesday has to be favoured.
ZIMBABWE VS INDIA EXPERT PREDICTION
India snapped into gear and fully demonstrated their quality in the second T20i between these two nations. Their surprise loss the day before had clearly lit a fire under the India players and they stamped their authority on proceedings early on, not letting go throughout the game. It would be no surprise to see a similar story here.
Expect Zimbabwe’s performance levels to improve with a couple of days to reflect on that Sunday defeat, but the reality is that if India play to their capabilities, then the hosts will struggle to cope. That’s why backing the tourists is the move worth making on this occasion.
ZIMBABWE VS INDIA TIP: INDIA TO WIN