IND vs ZIM: We Can't Underrate India But Put Up A Good Fight Against Them — Innocent Kaia

Zimbabwe batter Innocent Kaya said they underestimate the visiting India team sans without key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

India will visit the African nation after six years since MS Dhoni led a bunch of youngsters in 2016. The Men in Blue will play three ODI matches against Regis Chakabva & co.

The Indian team are missing first-choice players like Kohli, Rohit, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.

India to face Zimbabwe in ODIs after six years

Shikhar Dhawan, who led the team in the West Indies ODIs last month, was initially named the captain for Zimbabwe series. But the BCCI later announced KL Rahul will captain India in the three 50-over games.

Rahul will also mark his return in the Indian team after a gap of six months because of his injury woes. Apart from Rahul, pace bowler Deepak Chahar will also come back to action since February this year. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav will play an ODI match after six months.

Zimbabwe are coming fresh from drubbing Bangladesh in the home series with identical 2-1 results in both ODI and T20I series.

We can’t underrate India but put up a good fight against them: Innocent Kaia 

Zimbabwe batter Innocent Kaia, playing in his fourth ODI century, scored a spectacular 110 with the help of 11 boundaries and two sixes. He stitched 192 runs with Sikandar Raza (135*) for the fourth wicket as Zimbabwe chased 303 to defeat Bangladesh in an ODI match for the first time in nine years.

Kaia said they won’t have an easy outing against the young Indian side but promised to give a tough fight in the ODI series.

“Yes, please. I am sure I can say so. Of course, you know, when there’s no Virat, or Rohit Sharma, or Rishabh Pant, these guys are serious cricketers. I know this team that is coming to Zimbabwe is a strong one and we can’t underrate them by saying we are going to have an easy time playing against them. No, I am sure of putting up a good fight against them, Kaia told Times Now.

The first ODI will commence on August 18 at the Harare Sports Club, where all three matches will be staged.

Also Read: Zimbabwe Should Play More Matches Against Big Teams – Lalchand Rajput