India will look to complete a 3-0 whitewash when they take on Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I (IND vs ZIM) of the series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. Having already secured the series with commanding victories in the first two matches, the visitors will be eager to maintain their unbeaten run, while Zimbabwe will be desperate to end the campaign on a positive note in front of their home crowd.
The Shreyas Iyer-led side has dominated both departments throughout the series. India’s batting unit has looked confident, with the top order providing solid starts and the middle order capitalising on them. The bowling attack has been equally impressive, consistently picking up wickets at crucial intervals and restricting Zimbabwe to below-par totals. The comprehensive 90-run victory in the second T20I underlined India’s superiority.
India looking to test their bench strength
With the series already in the bag, India could use the dead rubber to test their bench strength. There is speculation that a few fringe players may get an opportunity, while an injury to pacer Prince Yadav could also force changes to the playing XI. Captain Shreyas Iyer has hinted that team management may rotate players to assess squad depth ahead of future assignments.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, need a much-improved batting performance after struggling against India’s disciplined pace and spin attack. Experienced campaigners and the middle order will have to shoulder greater responsibility if the hosts are to challenge a confident Indian outfit.
The Harare Sports Club surface has generally offered assistance to batters early before slowing down, bringing spinners into the game as the innings progresses. Winning the toss and chasing could once again be the preferred option.
Although the series outcome has already been decided, both teams have plenty to play for. India will be keen to finish with a perfect record, while Zimbabwe will be hoping to restore pride by producing their best all-round performance of the series.
India (probable XI)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma
Zimbabwe (probable XI)
Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Milton Shumba, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
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