Zimbabwe meets India on Thursday in the fourth match of their 2013 ODI Series. The match begins at 3 a.m. ET (01:30 p.m. IST). Watch the live stream HERE.
Zimbabwe has lost three straight matches to India. The squad lost the first ODI by six wickets, the second ODI by 58 runs and the third ODI by seven wickets. Despite already losing the series, Zimbabwe still has much to play for.
The two remaining ODIs give Zimbabwe a chance to avoid a complete shutout in the series, and they give some of Zimbabwe's players the opportunity to prove themselves to their coach and fans.
Sikandar Raza, Prosper Utseya, Elton Chigumbara and Visu Sibanda played well in the first two ODIs, but they underperformed in the third ODI. Zimbabwe's middle order has struggled throughout the series, and it has cost the team.
The bowlers weren't spectacular in the third ODI, taking only three wickers, IB Times reports. The squad's bowlers have to do a better job of restricting India's scoring.
India, on the other hand, has outperformed Zimbabwe - even with several dismal batting performances. India has already clinched the series with three straight wins, thanks in part to captain Virat Kohli breaking past the half century mark in the previous match, 68 not out.
The team finished the game with 14.3 overs to spare, helped by the contributions of Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina.
India's bowling has been steady throughout. Amit Mishra took four wickets in the previous match, and Shami Ahmed took two wickets. Jaydev Unadkat, Vinay Kumar and Virat Kohli chipped in with one wicket each.
Projected Squads:
Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (c), Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Michael Chinouya, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Natsai M'shangwe, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.
India: Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Parveez Rasool, Shami Ahmed, R Vinay Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohit Sharma.
