India has a few formalities to complete as it takes on Zimbabwe today

A fortnight after the nail-biting triumph over Pakistan, the Men in Blue are back at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Despite a loss to South Africa, India has progressed and now the formalities of a semifinal berth need to be signed especially through its Sunday fixture against Zimbabwe.

Weather clears up

The weather, grim and dark, until a few days ago, has largely cleared but there is a nip in the air and fielders in the deep may be inclined to keep their hands in their pockets.

India holds a 5-2 edge in T20Is, with the last clash dating back to 2016. Yet, this has been an ICC Twenty20 World Cup that has seen underdogs reveal fangs. Upsets have been registered and Afghanistan, riding on Rashid Khan’s chutzpah, nearly derailed Australia.

As India gears up for the Super 12 Group 2 game, Rohit Sharma will be conscious about Zimbabwe’s coup against Pakistan earlier in this championship. In the cut and thrust of international cricket, victories never come easy. The lesser fancied unit is often goaded by a desire to show it belongs on the big stage while also trying to infuse hope to countrymen back home.

Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe seek a balm through sport while their backyards are tinged with angst.

Rohit’s men know the perils of complacence against opponents perceived to be weak. The joust with Zimbabwe offers an opportunity to extend the winning fervour besides fine-tuning skill-sets as after this clash only the knock-outs remain.

Change in the offing?

And on Saturday, as the sun lit up the MCG with bright rays bouncing off the grass, Rishabh Pant had an extended training session donning his wicketkeeping gloves. He recalibrated his dives on either side, took catches, and then stood close to the lone stump and mimicked reflexes essential while keeping to spinners.

Whether this means a change is being effected, with Dinesh Karthik stepping aside, will be known only at the toss.

There is an issue atop the order that the individual fifties by skipper Rohit and his deputy K.L. Rahul cannot mask. In four outings so far, the duo shared partnerships worth seven, 11, 23 and 11. It forces Virat Kohli to walk in early, saddled with the task of sealing the initial crack, build a partnership and then explode with his willow.

Suryakumar Yadav has chipped in from the middle-order while Hardik Pandya, after his fine show against Pakistan, has tapered off. It doesn’t help that Karthik hasn’t hit the straps with his bat.

The bowling has been relatively fine except during those phases against South Africa or when Bangladesh’s Litton Das flew high. And the fielding was excellent against Bangladesh.

Dave’s doughty men

On the opposite side, Craig Ervine’s men are coached by the doughty Dave Houghton and readers of a certain vintage would remember his batting exploits in the 1980s.

Sikandar Raza has been Zimbabwe’s mainstay at this tournament.
| Photo Credit: AFP

In Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe has a star, and speedster Blessing Muzarabani has been among the wickets. Hopefully Melbourne’s weather will ally with clear skies on Sunday night.

The teams (from):

India: Rohit Sharma (Capt.), K.L. Rahul (Vice-Capt.), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, R. Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh.

Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (Capt.), Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabwa (wk), Brad Evans, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Milton Shumba, Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Wessly Madhevere, Tony Munyonga and Richard Ngavara.

Umpires: Rod Tucker and Richard Kettleborough; TV umpire: Aleem Dar; Match referee: David Boon.

Match starts at 1.30 p.m. IST.