(Source X)
After dealing a significant blow to the Shubman Gill-led India in the opening T20I in Harare, Zimbabwe spinner Wellington Masakadza cautioned against underestimating the home team. He emphasized that Zimbabwe would capitalize on their familiarity with local conditions to maximize their chances of clinching the five-match series.
The new-look Indian team, fresh from their T20 World Cup triumph with a different squad, suffered a surprising 13-run defeat to an enthusiastic yet inexperienced Zimbabwe side. Despite limiting the hosts to a modest 115 for nine, India faltered early, slumping to 28 for four in the Powerplay and eventually being bowled out for 102 in 19.5 overs.
This loss marked India’s first defeat in T20Is in 2024 and their first against Zimbabwe in eight years, highlighting the unpredictability and competitive spirit of international cricket.
Masakadza said: “We are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can against this Indian side. It’s a second-string Indian side, but there are a lot of good players in there. So, we are looking forward to this series,” Masakadza said.
“We’ve had a few plans in place. We needed them to work and obviously, we are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can against this Indian side.”
Masakadza, having claimed the wicket of tail-ender Avesh Khan on Saturday, expressed his intention to now target the dismissal of captain Shubman Gill.
“I’ll be looking to take Shubman Gill’s big wicket and some of the right-handers, (Riyan) Parag and some of the other guys in the side.
“It will be a very good challenge. They’re (Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar) very good spinners. Bishnoi has just had a very good tournament in the IPL and also Sundar. So it’s always a very good challenge to have Asian spinners.”
Given Harare’s current winter season, situated in the Southern Hemisphere, the left-arm spinner remarked that the Zimbabwean fast bowlers, accustomed to the local pitch conditions, could pose significant challenges for the Indian batsmen.
“It’s winter here and at times it’s a bit difficult for batters as the pitch is slowish, with a bit of turn. The seam is always a very big challenge in Harare during winter. So, I think the ball will move a bit and it will spin also,” said Masakadza, a veteran of 90 T20Is.
He emphasized that securing a series victory would provide a much-needed boost for Zimbabwean cricket, which has been experiencing a decline over the past few years.
“This series will mean a lot to us. If we manage to win the series, it will be a very big thing in our future.”
“We’re starting a new chapter, we have had our ups and downs in the past. We’ve just had a new coaching staff. So I just think from now on, this is a big thing for us and we’ll be looking forward to making a few plans to get ourselves across the line,” said the 30-year-old, who, like his skipper Sikandar Raza, wants to play in the IPL.
Raza, who represented Punjab Kings in this IPL season, contributed with 43 runs across two games. On Saturday, his stellar performance, which included three crucial wickets and a score of 17 runs, earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
“Definitely, it’s always a good thing to go out there and play in those leagues. I will look to take some wickets in this series. That can be good for me to get a gig (IPl contract).”
