India take on Zimbabwe in match 42 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Melbourne on Sunday, November 6. This is a must-win game for India if they are to make it to the semis. A loss for India might see South Africa and Pakistan get through to the semis based on points and NRR. South Africa as of now are placed second on the points table (+1.441) and Pakistan third (+1.117). India are currently topping the table with seven points and a NRR of +0.730.
Meanwhile, England joined New Zealand as the second team from Group 1 to make it to the semis. They won against Sri Lanka and eliminated defending champions Australia from the tournament in the process. It was a nervy win but one that took them to the semis of the World Cup.
A win is all that India and Zimbabwe both are seeking from this game. The two teams have never played in a T20 World Cup before and will face off against each other in a significant contest. Team India, however, are favourite to win this contest from the outset.
India vs Zimbabwe Match Preview, ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12, Group 2, Match 42
India
The Rohit Sharma-led team is very aware of the opposition and the challenge they bring with them. Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by one run in a tight contest and on their day can beat any opposition as they proved. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in his pre-match presser spoke about the need to be clinical in the game and not take the opposition lightly. India have all aspects covered to secure a win against the African nation.
“We need to be as clinical as possible. We know no team is a brush over. You still have to go there, counter the early phase with the bat and still bowl those good balls to be able to generate pressure. Good teams will be clinical and will pile the pressure on such days. It’s a must-win contest and we know that.”
“Like in any other contest in the T20 World Cup, it’s a must-win encounter in this T20 World Cup. We are looking forward to the game. Zimbabwe have played some wonderful cricket. We can’t go there and expect them to crumble. They bowled and batted well. So, we respect that,” said Ashwin in the pre-match press conference.
India Squad
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami.
Standby Players: Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
Zimbabwe
They won against Ireland and Scotland to make it through to the Super 12s but since then have lost every game barring the one against Pakistan. Zimbabwean skipper Craig Ervine in his presser said that the win against Pakistan gave them the confidence and belief that they can win against any opposition.
“I think obviously with the win against Pakistan, it’s given us a huge amount of belief that we can beat any side in the tournament,” he said. “I don’t think that will change going into tomorrow’s game” he said.
Speaking about playing against India, he said that as a side they are looking forward to the game and will challenge the Indian team.
“This is a great opportunity to bowl against some of the best guys in the world, so there’s no reason why guys would not want to actually get out there and produce the goods,” he said.
Zimbabwe Squad
Craig Ervine (c), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Wessely Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Sean Williams.
Standby Players: Tanaka Chivanga, Innocent Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Victor Nyauchi.
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