Zimbabwe had a last laugh when they played India in their own backyard in 2010 and the same performance is being expected from the newly appointed Zimbabwean coach Andy Waller. India will be missing the services of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and all the pacers who have been playing for India so far. In Dhoni’s absence, Virat Kohli will be leading this new team and Zimbabwe is expecting to surprise them.
Waller was quoted by Hindustan Times saying, "All along we've prepared and hoped we might surprise them in one of the games. You've got to be realistic, but as long as we're competitive and do the best we can.”
He added, "Our guys are very excited about the series. It will be a great experience for them, and we've been preparing knowing that the best side in the world is coming. I think the guys are up for it. Hopefully all the hard work we've put in in the last nine weeks is going to pay off."
This is the first assignment of Waller with Zimbabwe as a head coach and he is in no mood to under-rate the “not so strong” side especially after their successful winning run on away soil.
He was quoted by Deccan Chronicle saying, "I think they've just got so many good players. With the new guys who've come in, I don't think there's a huge difference to be honest. We know that they're all very good cricketers, so we don't look at it like a weakened (bowling) attack at all."
Zimbabwe had a good three-day practice game against Australia A at the Country Club, Bulawayo which the visitors won by 80 runs. But the easier pitch at the Harare Sports Club, will surely assist the batsmen. Waller was quoted saying, "It was quite an interesting wicket (at Country Club), quite a difficult wicket. I think the guys are actually quite positive about it, because they were a good bowling side. And I think we know it's a lot harder batting on the wicket there than it will be at Sports Club.”
Waller also confirmed that veteran left-arm spinner Ray Price will be a part of the Zimbabwe squad during the series. "Price is in the squad, I don't know why he wasn't named in the original list," said Waller after the team's net session.