India vs Zimbabwe 2016: Probable Playing 11 for India and Zimbabwe for 3rd ODI

With the series already in the pocket, India will look to complete a whitewash over Zimbabwe as they face off in the last game of the series at the Harare Sports Club. It has been a very bleak series for the Zimbabwean cricket team, going through a phase of transition, have failed to put up any resistance against a ruthless Indian side.

They have failed to cross the 200 mark in both their games and have more to do with their dismal batting display than some superb Indian bowling. Cremer and his players will look to salvage some pride by winning the last game of the series and if they manage to upset the Indians in the last game, it would be a commendable effort on their part.

Let’s how both these teams could line up for the final game of the series.

Zimbabwe

Batsmen: Zimbabwe changed their opening pair of Moor and Chibhabha in the second ODI with Masakadza partnering Chibhabha, but even they failed to build up a partnership at the top and Moor just might resume his role of the opener for this game.

If Moor opens the batting then Masakadza will come into bat at number 3 and Masakadza going through a bad patch of form will look to turn things around for him and his team. Vusi Sibanda was the only shining light for Zimbabwe in the last game scoring a half-century and the management will expect more of the same from him.

Sikandar Raza is likely to follow Sibanda and come in at number 5. Sean Williams replaced Craig Ervine but missed out on the opportunity to bat due to injury issues and is likely to miss out tomorrow and Ervine is likely to be his replacement. Richmond Mutumbami, the vice-captain and wicket-keeper of the side will walk in at number 7.

All-Rounders: Elton Chigumbura was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe in the first ODI but failed to trouble the opposition in the second game. The all-rounder is one of the vital cogs in the Zimbabwean side and if Zimbabwe are to get enough runs on the board, the onus will be on him and the likes of Sibanda and Masakadza.

Chamu Chibhabha too could be handy with the white ball in his hand and Cremer will look to get some overs out of him.

Bowlers: Graeme Cremer hasn’t had the ideal start to his captaincy career losing both the games and has struggled with the ball in hand, having failed to pick up a wicket in this series till now. He will look to change the stats in the final game of the series.

Chatara and Muzarabani will share the new ball and Zimbabwean fans will expect them to scalp some wickets with the new ball in hand.

Probable Playing 11: A Cremer (c), C Chibhabha, H Masakadza, R Mutumbami, V Sibanda, C Ervine, Sikandar Raza, P Moor, E Chigumbura, T Muzarabani, T Chatara

India

Batsmen: With the series already in the pocket and the team performing so well, Dhoni won’t look to change things around much. Rahul scored a brilliant hundred in the first game and was also amongst the runs in the second ODI.

His opening partner Karun Nair missed out on the first game but did good in the second match and will look to keep the flow of runs going. Rayudu has been in superb form in this series, staying unbeaten in both the games and scoring 40 plus runs in both and he will come into bat at number 3.

Manish Pandey faced a single ball in the second game and will look to get more opportunities with the bat in the final match. Kedhar Jadhav and MS Dhoni will make up the middle order of the Indian batting.

All-Rounders: Axar Patel hadn’t got the chance to impress with the bat in both the games but has impressed with his spin bowling, scalping wickets and restricting the run flow. He is more than capable with the bat and if the situation arises, India can bank upon the all-rounders ability with the long handle.

Bowlers: The pacers have been excellent for India in Zimbabwe. Sran and Kulkarni have been amazing with the new ball picking up wickets and have made sure the Zimbabwean batsmen do not form long-lasting partnerships.

Bumrah too has complemented the efforts of the new ball bowlers with his bowling and has picked up 5 wickets in two matches. Yuzvendra Chahal playing his debut series for India was the pick of the bowlers in the second game, picking up 3 wickets and the leggie will look to keep on impressing the selectors with his bowling display in the final game.

Probable Playing 11: MS Dhoni(C and WK), Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Yuzvendra Chahal