3 Biggest Takeaways From The India – Zimbabwe Series

The 3 match ODI series between India and Zimbabwe concluded yesterday and India won the series 3-0.

India won the third one-day international against Zimbabwe to win the three-match series 3-0 in Harare, their final challenge before the 2022 Asia Cup . The hosts bowled effectively in the second game before giving India a serious worry in the dead rubber. They had been listless in the first match. For putting up a fight in the second part of the series, Zimbabwe may be pleased with themselves. India, on the other hand, will be somewhat appreciative of their efforts since most of KL Rahul and Co.’s preparations came to fruition. Throughout the three games, the team demonstrated their capacity to perform under pressure while remaining clinical. These are the 3 biggest takeaways for India from the series against Zimbabwe.

India’s B team did well in the series in the absnece of key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah

1) Shubman Gill’s staggering form

Shubman Gill has been on the rise since he made entry into this team and has been making massive strides. He has been consistent while scoring runs and has also shown temperament and class when required. He is giving the selectors a big headache as his form has shown how good he can be. His last two ODI series performances are a proof of his capabilities and the potential he has to reach to the top of the game.Throughout the series, Gill showed his supremacy against the Zimbabwe bowlers, exuding impeccable quality with each of his strikes. The Punjabi kid scored his elusive first century in the third ODI after scoring 82* and 33 in the first two games. Gill hit a remarkable 130 off 97 deliveries with the help of 15 exquisite fours and one maximum, and he concluded the series with 245 runs at an exceptional average of 122.5. Gill has demonstrated in his limited nine-ODI career that he had the attributes to be a future great in 50-over cricket. Gill has put his name forward for a spot in the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup after doing so effectively as both an opener and as the No. 3 hitter.

Shubman Gill missed out on a century against West Indies due to rain but made sure he got his maiden century in this series

2) Gametime for Comeback players

A couple of players were making a comeback after a long injury layoff and this was their first series since then. KL Rahul was one of the players who made a comeback and he had a lot of responsibility upon his shoulders. Although there was no question that India would win the three-match series, KL Rahul, the interim Indian captain, was the centre of attention when he played competitive cricket for the first time since the conclusion of the 2022 Indian Premier League. Indian supporters were anxious to watch Rahul in action and hoped he might reduce his debt as the Asia Cup was less than a week away. Rahul didn’t bat in the first game, so he didn’t do anything to allay those worries. He was promoted to start the innings, but in the second game he only managed a single run. In the last game of the series, Rahul was only able to play 46 balls and scored a mere 30 runs. Deepak Chahar, a standby for the Asia Cup team, has also left the selector’s decision up in the air. After being out for six months owing to injury, the right-arm bowler had a strong debut with a three-wicket haul. He was rested for the second game, which is concerning because his fitness is still being scrutinized after not playing much top-level cricket since February. In the third ODI, he was reinstated to the playing XI but ultimately gave up 73 runs and was unable to stop Sikandar Raza’s assault.

KL Rahul didn’t make much impact but Deepak Chahar made a significant contribution for India in this series 

3) Back-up wicketkeeper option

International teams sometimes play with more than one keeper in their starting XI and search for players who can play in two distinct roles. The selectors consider all variables, including injuries and rest, as well as giving younger players plenty of opportunity, when choosing the team for the tour. There is no scarcity of wicket keeper batsmen in India, and there are many possibilities available. First-choice keeper Rishabh Pant has held this position for some time due to his excellent performance for India in all formats. In the limited overs format, the other three keepers are the major option. Dinesh Karthik is an excellent wicketkeeper in addition to being a finisher for the T20I team. In the ODI format, there is an option between the youthful Ishan Kishan and the versatile Sanju Samson. They both played one excellent innings on the most recent Zimbabwe tour, and both were rather respectable. For the first two games, Sanju kept the wickets and only committed one costly mistake. Ishan Kishan, on the other hand, was effective behind the stumps and kept the wickets in the previous game. The decision over India’s backup wicketkeeper may take some time, but given the amount of opportunities Sanju Samson has missed, Ishan Kishan may have the upper hand over his colleague.

Sanju Samson won the man of the match for his contribution  in the second ODI