Warm up T20: High Performance lands India in trouble

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

It was an eagerly-awaited warm-up game for the visitors, one which would have given them a chance to forget failure and embrace success on their (so far) forgettable tour to Zimbabwe. But, after stuttering to a narrow 6-run win against the Zimbabwe High Performance Centre (HPC), more headache is all what the Indian team management got ahead of their two T20 international games against Zimbabwe this weekend.

A team filled with T20 big guns was given another rude awakening by the HPC team at the CFX Academy today. Big-hitter Yusuf Pathan managed just six runs, vice-captain Virat Kohli didn’t even bother the two lady scorers and bowlers like Ashok Dinda and Pragyan Ojha went wicketless. Not an ideal preparation indeed before the two-eagerly awaited T20 matches.
HPC won the toss captain Vusimuzi Sibanda and sent the visitors to field. The home side’s nineteen year old seamer, Tendai Chatara celebrated his first wicket against India removing opening batsman Naman Ohja in the fourth over as he tried to play straight down the ground, giving an easy catch to mid-on.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

India certainly has a lot to work to do before facing Zimbabwe on Saturday, only Murali Vijay and Captain Suresh Raina put up decent scores of 41 and 31 respectively. Still this is a disappointment for the team management because the top order is failing to capitalise on quick singles and aiming for big shots. Dinesh Karthik (20 off 17balls) and Ravichandran Ashwin (15 not out) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
Chatara was the mainstay in restricting the more experienced visitors to a total of 145 runs. The Mountaineers opener claimed three wickets for 22 runs off his four overs.

Stuart Matsikenyeri’s brilliant knock of 55 from 39 balls kept India at bay despite early losses of Vusimuzi Sibanda (17off 23 balls), Keith Dabengwa (0) and Razza Butt (1 ). Matsikenyeri’s innings was brisk 39 minute knock featuring four 6’s and two 4’s. Partnered by Prince Masvaure who scored 41 of 37 balls, the pair grabbed the bull by its horns setting the second highest partnership of 48.

The middle order succumbed to the experienced bowling of the Indians and fell at a disappointing rate. Pace bowling was the weapon of choice today, right arm pacer Vinay Kumar was the top wicket taker for India, claiming three for 28. Abhimanyu Mithun however took responsibility of removing the opening pair in the first over, before bowling three more overs for 14 runs.

“We have been working very hard for the past five days and the warm-up game gave us great practise. It helped us identify the areas we need to work on before we play Zimbabwe on Saturday,” said Mithun after the match.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Stuart Matsikenyeri’s brilliant knock of 55 from 39 balls featured four 6’s and two 4’s. Well i leave it for others to comment.

[CrimsonAvenger]

vice-captain Virat Kohli didn’t even bother the two lady scorers

So, this is indeed how our women's team is kept busy throughout the year, making them unavailable for tournaments in places like Tanzania and Uganda...

Keith Dabengwa (0)

Any idea who the other 5 players for HPC were?

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Any idea who the other 5 players for HPC were?

Nope but happy to see Tendai's performance. Do we have the same 15 for selection or we can choose T20 specialists?

[sloandog]

Stuart Matsikenyeri’s brilliant knock of 55 from 39 balls featured four 6’s and two 4’s. Well i leave it for others to comment.

Well good on him
A lot has been said about him recently but I like to be proved wrong in any situation.
Well bowled Chitara, looks like we have a serious star in the making here !