agencies
Harare, 23 July
Zimbabwe begin a five-match one-day series against India on Wednesday accepting that victory in even one of the games would represent a good result against the top-ranked side in the world.
India may have rested captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, leading spinner R Ashwin and seamers Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but Zimbabwe’s new coach Andy Waller expects their replacements to prove equally threatening.
"All along we’ve prepared with the hope that we might surprise them in one of the games – we have to be realistic, and look to be competitive and do the best that we can," Waller said.
"India have got so many cricket players that I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the guys who have come in and some of the players they’ve left out."
Zimbabwe go into Wednesday’s game at Harare Sports Club with their most settled batting line-up in many years, having been boosted by Sean Williams’ performances in the middle order during their series victory over Bangladesh.
Williams has overcome a minor injury that kept him out of a three-day match against Australia A last week, which a Zimbabwe Select XI lost by 80 runs.
"Our top six are settled," Waller said. "The guys are hugely excited about this. We’ve been preparing knowing that the best side in the world is coming."
India’s last visit to Zimbabwe was in 2010 for a tri-series that included Sri Lanka, when they failed to make the final after losing twice to the hosts.
While India’s squad for this series may be short on experience, they will not lack for motivation having gained the opportunity to press for more regular inclusion in the future.
Seamer Jaydev Unadkat and batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been brought in, along with uncapped players Parvez Rasool and Mohit Sharma. Even the more senior players will have something to prove, with Virat Kohli hoping to showcase his captaincy credentials as he leads the side in Dhoni’s absence.
"You need 11 players who are hungry for success, who are hard-working and whose vision is victory," Kohli said, adding: "All 15 players are strong and we are a strong unit, which is good."
The Indian batting would revolve around Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Shikhar and Rohit average 57.72 in partnership and have put together three century stands so far.
Cheteshwar Pujara would lend stability to the middle order where Suresh Raina will also have an important role to play. Raina would look to wipe out the memories of the previous tour’s debacle under his captaincy.
India’s bowling attack has an all-new look to it with the duo of Shami Ahmed and rookie Mohit Sharma comprising the pace department. Vinay Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat are the other speedsters in the squad.The spin attack would feature Parveez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to get India’s national selectors’ nod, and the experienced Amit Mishra. Dinesh Karthik would don the gloves behind the stumps in Dhoni’s absence.The India-Zimbabwe limited-over series is Waller’s first international assignment as head coach. He took over from Steve Mangongo, who held the position in a caretaker’s role until the end of the home series against Bangladesh in May. Zimbabwe have prepared hard for the series. Apart from holding a training camp, they have played a three-day practice match against Australia A, which the visitors won by 80 runs as the host team’s batsmen failed to back the hard work of their bowlers, who had utilised the bowler-friendly Country Club pitch very well. Waller said he expected batsmen to have an easier time at Harare Sports Club, where the first three ODIs would be played, than in Bulawayo.
“It was quite an interesting wicket (at the Country Club), quite a difficult wicket. I think the guys are actually quite positive about it, because they were a good bowling side. And I think we know it’s a lot harder batting on the wicket there than it will be at the Sports Club,” he said.
Waller also confirmed that veteran left-arm spinner Ray Price would be part of the Zimbabwe squad during the series.
“Price is in the squad, I don’t know why he wasn’t named in the original list,” said Waller after the team’s practice session.
India are the favourites as Zimbabwe have only beaten them 10 times in the  51 One-Day Internationals between the two sides.
Zimbabwe-born coach Duncan Fletcher has said his India squad are seeking a relaxing time following a "hectic" few months.
The Champions Trophy-winners have been busy recently and will use the series to allow some new players to stake their claims.
Fletcher said yesterday at a dinner to welcome the visitors that there had been "too much nerve-racking stuff" lately after India won the Champions Trophy and a recent triangular series final in West Indies by slim margins. Kohli said the players were "out here to have fun." Teams (from):
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Parveez Rasool, Shami Ahmed, R Vinay Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohit Sharma.
Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (captain and wicketkeeper), Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Michael Chinouya, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.