IND v ZIM: T20 WC PREVIEW

We are in the business end of the tournament. NZ with 7 points and a massive NRR in excess of 2 have become the 1st team to qualify for the semi finals.

On the other hand, SL made it tough for ENG in their last match, defending 140 odd. ENG won with 2 balls to spare after Alex Hales' quickfire start. This could be a problem if the pitch gives spinners anything to work with in the knockouts. The same thing happened to them when they chased a mere 112 against Afghanistan in their opening match

Things in Group B took an interesting turn quite interesting. SA suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Netherlands, this implies Ind have qualified for the semis and the winner of PAK v BAN match books his place for the 2nd spot. Things are already heating up in the PAK v BAN match as Shakib has been a victim of a howler from the 3rd umpire.
Things aren't as easy as they look like for Pakistan as well. Their openers, their mainstays in the format for the last 2 years have struggled to lay bat onto the ball. In addition to that, they bowled beautifully unlike what the scorecard suggests.

It should be a cake walk for IND given Zim’s batting line up is brittle and there is hardly any resistance apart from Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams. But as they say, "Never write off anyone in sport"

Probable XIs

India

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ashwin, Axar Patel, Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh

Zimbabwe

Craig Ervine, Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Regis Chakabva, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzaraba

Venue

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Total matches 20

Matches won batting first 8

Matches won bowling first 11

Average 1st Inns scores 141

Average 2nd Inns scores 128

Lowest total recorded 74/10 by IND vs AUS

Highest score chased 172/5 by SL vs AUS

Lowest score defended 127/10 by AUS vs PAK

HEAD to HEAD

Both teams have faced each other 7 times in t20is

Overall: India leads by 5-2

Batting 1st: 2-2

Batting 2nd: IND leads by 3 -0

Last 5 matches: IND leads by 3-3

Most runs: Chamu Chibhabha (172)

Most wkts: Barindar Sran (6)

Recent Form

(Last five matches)

INDIA: W L W W NR

ZIMBABWE: L L W NR W

Form Update

(Last 5 innings)

Key Players & Fantasy Picks

Virat Kohli

By the looks of it, Virat Kohli will win his 3rd man of the tournament award in t20 wcs this time. He has scored 8 50s in Australia in just 14 innings. His average in t20 wcs is in excess of 90s. . He is your go to man to trust in the fantasy XI and will fetch you good points just like every time.

Suryakumar Yadav

Purple patch would be an understatement to describe Surya’s run of form in t20is. He is by far the best t20i batter at present. Since the start of the year he has scored 692 runs at a SR of 1890 In his last 8 innings, he has scored 5 50s. Must must pick in your fantasy XI

Sikandar Raza

He is Zimbabwe’s MVP, their best player. He is their leading scorer of the tournament with 185 runs at a SR of 149 and has picked up 9 wkts which is the 2nd most after Muzarabani’s tally of 11. He regularly chips in with wkts in middle overs and turned the game in Zim’s favour against Pakistan.

( Risky Pick )

Wesley Madhevere has shown glimpses of brilliance so far against SA and Pak. He can take down India’s bowlers early like Liton Das in last game. We can also bank on ZIM’s pace attack of Evans, Chatara, Ngarava and Muzarabani who are tall and hit the deck bowlers.

Fantasy XI