Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Chevrons know they face a bigger challenge when they take on an Indian side whose players are just coming out of the Indian Premier League in the first of the two Twenty20 Internationals at Harare Sports Club today. Makhaya Ntini and his men are coming from an embarrassing whitewash at the hands of a lightweight Indian side in the three ODIs. Maybe, there is nothing like a lightweight Indian side given that this country of more than a billion people, where cricket is a virtual religion, have a huge base from where to pick their players.
Chevrons captain Graeme Cremer yesterday said they could surprise the Indians. “We still have a more dangerous T20 side and the spotlight is on us not only here but around the world to turn things around,” said Cremer.
The last time the two sides met in this version of the game was last year and Zimbabwe came from behind to level the series 1-1 at the same venue. Sikandar Raza-Butt was the stand in captain then.
Raza-Butt believes Zimbabwe will have to win games in the T20 series to win back the hearts of the cricket fans. “I believe we are capable of doing it because now we have a better captain. I believe Cremer is a better captain than me, coach Makhaya Ntini brings in the energy we need.
“We need to win back the hearts of our fans and the nation so we need to start turning things around in the T20s. “We have to be clear on what we want and like what the captain said we have a more dangerous T20 side and if we beat them (India) we will win a lot of people back,” said Raza. Brian Chari has been ruled out of the opener due to a finger injury.
“It is also sad that we lost Craig Ervine and Sean Williams to injury and this means we do not have a left-handed batsman in the team. “We would have loved to have a left-handed batsman in the side but those who have been selected would have to do the job,” said Cremer.
India coach Sanjay Bangar said they will not make many changes. “Our top order has been doing a very wonderful job and there are no intentions of making too many changes.”