New-look India eye series whitewash

After taking an unnecessarily complicated route to a win in the first ODI, India turned in a clinical performance in the second game to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Zimbabwe. With the series wrapped up, the third ODI gives the so-called 'fringe' Indian players, another opportunity to keep themselves in contention, the next time the national selectors convene to pick an ODI side. The middle-order remains a concern after another mini-collapse in the second game and will top the team management's agenda ahead of sterner tests to follow.

Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura bemoaned his team's batting performance in the second game after they lost their top-order by the 11th over of the chase. The bowlers, led by Neville Madziva's four-fer, had done an admirable job to restrict India to 271 on a Harare surface that had eased up considerably since the Friday's first encounter. If Zimbabwe can replicate the performance from the first match, they have every reason to believe they can avoid a whitewash.

Date: 14 July 2015Venue: Harare Sports Club, HarareTime: 12:30 ISTWeather: Another cold day with a maximum of 23 degree Celsius and minimum of 7 degree Celsius

Team News:

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe are sweating on the form of senior batsman Hamilton Masakadza. His laborious 34 in the first ODI was followed by another no-show on Sunday. Occupying the crucial No. 3 role, Masakadza, along with Sean Wiliams, will be expected to hold the middle-order together to avoid another batting collapse. Zimbabwe also lost the services of premier pacer Tinashe Panyangara to side-strain and the bowler remains unlikely to feature in the third ODI with just an extra day of rest under his belt.

Probable XI: Chamu Chibhabha, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura (c), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva, Donald Tiripano, Brian Vitori

India

The injury to in-form Ambati Rayudu opens up a slot in the middle-order for India. While the team management have summoned keeper-batsman Sanju Samson to the squad, the 20-year old is unlikely to be thrown straight into the final ODI. This, however, paves the way for Manish Pandey to make his ODI debut. The form of Robin Uthappa, Manoj Tiwary and Kedar Jadhav remains a concern and the trio will do well to put in a good performance should the opportunity arise. India also have the option of handing Sandeep Sharma, who was impressive in the recently concluded IPL, a debut. In that case either Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Dhawal Kulkarni could be rested.

Probable XI: Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Manish Pandey, Manoj Tiwary, Robin Uthappa (wk), Stuart Binny, Kedar Jadhav, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma/Dhawal Kulkarni

Stats & Trivia:

- Robin Uthappa needs another 97 runs to complete 1000 ODI runs. He currently has 903 from 45 matches at an average of 25.80

- Zimbabwe last beat India in an ODI on June 3 2010. India have won each of the eight games since.

Quotes:

"The bowlers have been really up to the mark in the series and that pleases me as captain"- Ajinkya Rahane had words of praise for the bowling attack that has done well for two games in a row now.

"We have to work on our batting in the next game. Losing three wickets in the first 11 overs is just not good."- Elton Chigumbura identifies the batting as an area of definite improvement.