The team India is set to go on another tour in the month of August. A new schedule has been announced with India going to play against Zimbabwe. Before going to the subcontinent to play against Bangladesh and Australia, the series against Zimbabwe is likely to be scheduled in the month of August.
According to media reports online, the ODI series will be a short-span schedule with only three ODI matches. The three games will likely be conducted as part of the ICC One-Day Super League.
The league is tentatively scheduled for August 18, 20, and 22. “We are absolutely delighted to host India and we look forward to a competitive and memorable series,” Cricbuzz reported a Zimbabwe official.
Earlier, team India’s had a schedule to play against England and West Indies before Asia cup. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to add one more tour. This tour might have come as a plan to provide an opportunity for both teams.
With an intention to make young players play on the international platform, this series is likely to be an opening window for that. The senior players will be rested and the young players, denoted as second-string, will be included.
“Obviously, the stars will be rested for the Zimbabwe series as it will be followed by Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, home series against Australia and the team then travels to Australia for the World Cup,” Insidesport quoted a BCCI source as saying.
For now, the Harare Sports Club in the capital city has been destined to host all three matches.
“It’s a big opportunity for the players to play against the Indian players and for the cricketing fraternity in Zimbabwe. It will create a lot of interest amongst the younger generation to take up this game. Overall, the series is very good for Zimbabwe cricket,” Cricbuzz quoted Lalchand Rajput, the former coach of the side, who has now been re-designated as the Technical Director.
To arrive in Harare on August 15, the home team is going to have a great opportunity with this series in terms of scoring points to qualify for next year’s ODI World Cup. It is not the case for team India as it has already met the requirement.
The Zimbabwe tour would also be an opportunity for the injured players from India. Some news reports also stress that injured players like KL Rahul and Deepak Chahar, who are completely away from the game due to serious injuries, may get an opportunity to make comeback with this series.
