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India vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI Preview: All Eyes On Skipper Rahul Ahead Of Series Opener

Skipper KL Rahul's form and fitness will be observed keenly when India take on Zimbabwe in a three-match series, starting Thursday, in 50-over format, which is fast losing popularity and struggling to retain its identity. Supposed to be one of the most vital cogs in India's T20 World Cup top-order, Rahul would like to make full use of the game time he gets as an opener during the three games against Regis Chakabva's side.

1st ODI: All eyes on skipper KL Rahul as India target series sweep in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe in a three-match series, starting Thursday, in 50-overs format, which is fast losing popularity and struggling to retain its identity. Supposed to be one of the most vital cogs in India's T20 World Cup top-order, Rahul would like to make full use of the game time he gets as an opener during the three games against Regis Chakabva's side. Rahul's immediate task at hand after a two-month lay-off, during which he underwent a sports hernia surgery, is to keep his opening slot in T20 cricket and adapt to the team's philosophy of going hell for leather from ball one. It won't just be about runs that skipper Rohit Sharma or coach Rahul Dravid would be looking at when they monitor Rahul's performance in Zimbabwe. Rather they would like to check out his approach and the manner in which he is scoring runs, something he would need to tweak before that first Asia Cup game against Pakistan on August 28.

India And Australia To Play Two 5-Match Test Series In 2023-27 FTP Cycle

The International Cricket Council on Wednesday announced the men's 2023-27 Future Tours Programme (FTP) schedule. Australia are set to host India for a five-Test series and then another five-Test series will be played between the two countries in India later on. This will be the first time since 1992 that the two teams play a five-match series. Recently, India and Australia series have comprised of four Tests. The Ashes and the India-England Test series will be the other five-match affairs in the format.

Watch: Shikhar Dhawan's Dance With Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill Will Crack You Up

Ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, Team India is all geared up to clinch victory at Harare. Team India is blooming with confidence, as they have arrived in Harare after claiming the white-ball series against West Indies. With just a day left for the first ODI match against Zimbabwe, India batter Shikhar Dhawan shared a fun video of himself with fellow teammates Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, where all three of them were seen hilariously flaunting their dancing skills.

"Not Right": Ex-India Batter On KL Rahul Replacing Shikhar Dhawan As Captain For Zimbabwe Series

Originally, it was Shikhar Dhawan who was chosen to lead Team India for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, beginning August 18 in Harare and KL Rahul was not named in the squad. However, upon recovering from COVID-19, and then being deemed fit, Rahul was included in the squad and he was also named as captain with Dhawan acting as his deputy. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has now given his take on the entire episode, saying the situation could have been avoided.

Watch: Shikhar Dhawan Fails To Grasp Reporter's Accent, Leaves Everyone In Splits

India will take on Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series, starting with the first game in Harare on Thursday, August 18. On Tuesday, India's designated vice-captain for the series Shikhar Dhawan attended one of the pre-match press conferences, and answered a series of questions from various journalists. However, the veteran opening batter failed to grasp one of the questions, saying that he couldn't understand the accent of the reporter.

India present huge ODI challenge for transformed Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe face their biggest challenge since Dave Houghton became coach two months ago when they host India in a series of three one-day internationals, starting on Thursday. Although several stars, including batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are being rested ahead of the Asia Cup in the UAE this month, the tourists are expected to win all three matches in Harare. India are placed third behind leaders New Zealand and England in the ODI rankings, 10 places above Zimbabwe. Under the guidance of 64-year-old former batting star Houghton, the southern Africa nation have won nine of 11 ODI and Twenty20 internationals. With Houghton in charge, hosts Zimbabwe beat non-Test teams Jersey, Singapore, the United States, Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands to qualify for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

James Anderson: There are unlikely to be many more Test players in their forties

England seamer James Anderson admits he is fortunate to still have the passion for Test cricket but feels it is unlikely there will be many more playing beyond their 40th birthday.

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India vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI Preview: All Eyes On Skipper Rahul Ahead Of Series Opener

1st ODI: All eyes on skipper KL Rahul as India target series sweep in Zimbabwe

India And Australia To Play Two 5-Match Test Series In 2023-27 FTP Cycle

Watch: Shikhar Dhawan's Dance With Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill Will Crack You Up

"Not Right": Ex-India Batter On KL Rahul Replacing Shikhar Dhawan As Captain For Zimbabwe Series

Watch: Shikhar Dhawan Fails To Grasp Reporter's Accent, Leaves Everyone In Splits

India present huge ODI challenge for transformed Zimbabwe

James Anderson: There are unlikely to be many more Test players in their forties