India would be looking to seal the five-match series against Zimbabwe 5-0 when they take on the hosts at Bulawayo on Saturday. However to do that, India would need Mohit Sharma and Jaydev Unadkat to fire as they did in last match. But with nothing to lose, Zimbabwe might come hard on the vistors with the likes of Vusi Sibanda and Sikandar Raza swinging their bat against the likes of Ravindra Jadeja.
Here we bring to you the players to watch out for in the 5th ODI between India and Zimbabwe.
Chetashwar Pujara: Pujara wasn’t looking much comfortable while facing the new ball and playing too much off dot-balls was something that added pressure on him. He needs to prove himself with the last chance on this tour if he gets a place in the playing eleven. If he fails to do so, then he might have to wait for a long time as the top-order is currently having some best possible combination.
Sikandar Raza: Raza played a brilliant knock of 84 runs in the opening match of the series and would be looking to repeat that kind of performance in the final match of the series. He has been quite inconsistent but if gets his eye set, then he is surely a difficult customer to handle.
Rohit Sharma: Sharma had a slow-stat in last ODI but he did well to make the most of it and remained unbeaten on 64. He needs to understand that slowing down the things won’t help him especially when he is going through a rough patch. He needs to play attacking cricket in the first few overs otherwise he will put himself under tremendous pressure and will throw away his wickets.
Elton Chigumbura: Chigumbura has been the consistent performer for Zimbabwe and by far is the only positive that hosts can take away from the series. His crucial knocks lower down the order has always been the life-saver for his team and if he can just chip in with couple of wickets with bowling then he can surely lead his team to a much needed victory.
Mohit Sharma: Sharma was absolutely mind-boggling on his debut, but it is going to be interesting to see that how well he can continue with that form. He has that ability to give his side some early breakthroughs and if he continues to do so, then Raza and Sibanda would be having a tough ask when they come out to open for Zimbabwe.
Malcolm Waller: Waller has been performing decently with the bat and it would be interesting to see whether he will be promoted up the order or not. He has that tendency of getting carried away after taking a decent start and once he works out this thing, he can make a great deal of difference in the amount of runs that hosts score.
Jaydev Unadkat: Unadkat has done fabulous job in this series, and what is more important is that whenever Virat has given him the ball he has delivered. His ability to produce the breakthroughs at crucial intervals makes him a great first change option for India in near future. He has picked up seven wickets so far and would be looking to take it to double digits after this final match of the series.
Brian Vitori: Vitori has that pace to trouble the Indian batsmen on the pitch of Bulawayo but that also requires some accurate line and length. Though, he has been pretty much economical, he hasn’t been good enough to give his counterparts a tough time. He needs to bowl in the right channel to bundle up the prolific Indian batting.
Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja was an absolute killer in last match with his brilliant bowling. He ended up picking just two wickets but every ball that he bowled was nothing less than a wicket-taking delivery. His fielding is a big plus for Indian team and a consistent performance is expected from him in this match.
Brendon Taylor: Taylor hasn’t been able to do justice to his talent and that’s why he is standing in the line of fire. He has enough quality in pace attack but it’s because of his mediocre captaincy so far that they haven’t been able to bundle up India even once.
By Amit Chopra,
Indian Sports News Network
