India vs Zimbabwe 2022: 1st ODI Predicted Playing 11 for Both

KL Rahul back in the squad to lead as we look at predicted playing 11 for both teams for Zimbabwe vs India 1st ODI 2022. 

It’s been just a week since the conclusion of the West Indies tour, but honestly, it feels like ages. Such is the impact of the game that whenever there is a good gap between two series or two games, life feels incomplete. Nevertheless, in two days, the India B team would be back for the 3-match ODI series vs Zimbabwe.

With the A team busy for Asia Cup 2022, it’s not a secret that Team India has sent their B team to play against Zimbabwe. However, the 3-match ODI series does give a good opportunity and game time for a few key players who are also a part of Asia Cup 2022. The likes of which include KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda.

The Zimbabwe tour or we can say 3-match ODI decides begins on August 18 with the final match being played on August 22. KL Rahul will be leading the squad with Dhawan as his deputy. Interestingly, a few changes have already been made in the official squad for Team India. Here’s the updated official squad for Team India.

India vs Zimbabwe 2022 – Official ODI Series Squad Players List for Team India: 

Batters: KL Rahul, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan & Shubman Gill

Wks: Ishan Kishan & Sanju Samson 

All-rounders: Axar Patel, Deepak Hooda & Shahbaz Ahmed

Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna & Shardul Thakur

Coach: VVS Laxman // Captain: KL Rahul

Having seen the official squad for Team India,  let’s now look at the best predicted playing 11 for India vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI 2022. Before that, let’s look at the key stats and match details. Meanwhile, as per the leading cricket website Betway, India start upright favourites with odds standing at 1.05. Whereas for Zimbabwe, the odds are at 9.

Match Details:

Tournament: India Tour of Zimbabwe 2022 

Type: ODI Series – 1st ODI 

Where: Harare

When: August 18, 12:45 pm IST

Key Historical Stats – Zimbabwe vs India ODIs

Played: 63 // India Won: 51 // Zimbabwe Won: 10 // D/NR: 2

333/6 – Highest Team Total by India

65/10 – Lowest Team Total by Zimbabwe

1377 – Most Runs by Sachin Tendulkar

175*(138) – Highest Individual Score by Kapil Dev

45 – Most Wickets by Ajit Agarkar

6/48 – Best Bowling Spell by Amit Mishra

Playing 11 for Both Teams:

Team India’s biggest question going into the 1st ODI would be where does KL Rahul play? The last time he captained India, he opened alongside Shikhar Dhawan. But should he be doing that? Well, ideally Rohit and Shikhar are our primary openers for ODIs. Whereas KL Rahul’s primary batting position is middle-order at 4 or 5. 

However, if KL needs more game time, he could also play at 3 with Ishan Kishan at 4. The pair of Dhawan and Gill had also done well in the West Indies ODIs, and should continue to open. Apart from these two, Sanju Samson should play at 5, all-rounder Deepak Hooda at 6 and another all-rounder Axar Patel at number 7.

Now remains the question of who plays at 3. There are 3 options in the form of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rahul Tripathi. If the actual batting position goes by, Tripathi should make his debut. But if Team India seniority is considered, Kishan could be given a go. Kishan has played in the middle-order in the past, and has been waiting on the sidelines for quite some time now.

Another interesting selection would be the selection of 4 bowlers. The return of Deepak Chahar makes things interesting. Undoubtedly,  Deepak Chahar will lead the pace attack as he needs game time ahead of Asia Cup 2022. But with Chahar returning, one of Shardul, Siraj, or Prasidh will have to sit out.

If the West Indies series’ performance goes by, Prasidh could sit out. This way, Shardul, Siraj, and spinner Kuldeep will be the other three bowlers. But if India decide to go with 4 pacers, Kuldeep could sit out with India playing Deepak, Shardul, Siraj, and Prasidh. Ideally, India would go with 3 pacers and 1 spinner. Hence, Prasidh may sit out.

Zimbabwe vs India 2022: 1st ODI Predicted Playing 11 for Team India

Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav & Mohammed Siraj

For Zimbabwe, the playing 11 should be similar to the one that played against Bangladesh earlier this month. It was a historic series for Zimbabwe as they won the 3-match ODI series vs Bangladesh 2-1. The focus in the Zimbabwe team will be on Captain Regis Chakabva and all-rounder Sikandar Raza. 

Zimbabwe vs India 2022: 1st ODI Predicted Playing 11 for Zimbabwe

Regis Chakabva (C), Tarisai Musakandal, Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Luke Jongwe, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava & Wellington Masakadza 

So, that’s the best predicted playing 11 for both teams. For India, the question shall mostly revolve around the inclusion of two from Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj. It would also be interesting to see what position KL Rahul bats in the ODI series. 

Best Fantasy XI Prediction for Zimbabwe vs India 2022 – 1st ODI 

Batters: KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Innocent Kaia, Shubman Gill &  Regis Chakabva 

Wks: Ishan Kishan 

All-rounders: Sikandar Raza 

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Luke Jongwe & Kuldeep Yadav 

CVC Choice: KL Rahul & Shikhar Dhawan

Please note that some of the things are also dependent on the toss, so do check our Telegram channel for live updates on actual playing 11 and fantasy tips. Channel link in the Author bio section. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Team India for the 2022 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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