The Indian cricket team began their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe impressively on August 18, when they bowled Zimbabwe out in 189 runs and clinched the win without losing a wicket. Team India also chased the target in only 30 overs as Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill scored 81 and 82 runs respectively to hand them the victory.

However, moving to the second ODI match, India would be looking forward to more impressive performances by Deepak Chahar, who claimed three wickets in just seven overs and dismissed both of Zimbabwe’s openers, as well as Wesley Madhevere. Chahar made an India comeback after almost seven months and his swing and discipline became the highlight of the match in the first ODI.

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While India did not lose a wicket while chasing the target, captain KL Rahul, who has also made a comeback after a string of injuries and a COVID-19 infection, did not get to the crease to showcase his batting abilities. Rahul would be hoping to be able to bat in the second ODI, however, not at the cost of an early wicket.

India is expected to retain most of its bowling lineup against Zimbabwe in the second ODI. Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna and Axar Patel claimed three wickets each in the last match. Mohammed Siraj, on the other hand, took only one wicket but his bowling intensity made the highlights of the match. Apart from these four, Kuldeep Yadav’s form will keep the Indians on their toes, who was the only Indian bowler to complete 10 overs but could not take a wicket.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe was handed a reality check in the first match on August 18 and will look to change their fates in the second ODI. The Chevrons will look forward to batting all 50 overs, something that they could not achieve in the previous match as they were bowled out in 40.3 overs.

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Their opening partnership of Innocent Kaia and Tadiwanashe Marumani will look to replicate their forms from the previous series against Bangladesh on Saturday. The likes of Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere and Takudzwanashe Kaitano will also have a big responsibility on them, helping the Africans to get to a 299+ finish, something that they could not do in the first ODI.

Probable lineups:  

India:  Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (c), Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (c & wk), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava