India and Zimbabwe’s longstanding cricketing rivalry is defined by dominance, occasional upsets, mutual respect and occasional surprises. India has used series in Zimbabwe as a testing ground to put their bench strength and young players through their paces.
India’s squad features both young and experienced cricketers, such as Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Players.
| # | Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Result | Key Highlights & Player(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 Jul 2024 | T20I | Harare Sports Club | India Women | won by 10 wickets | India chased 152 after Zimbabwe posted 152/7 in just 15.2 overs; dominant batting. |
| 2 | 10 Jul 2024 | T20I | Harare Sports Club | India Women | won by 23 runs | India scored 182/4 in reply to Zim’s 159/6. |
| 3 | 07 Jul 2024 | T20I | Harare Sports Club | India Women | won by 100 runs | Massive total 234/2; Zimbabwe bundled out for 134. Avesh Khan & Mukesh Kumar shared 6 wickets. (Reddit) |
| 4 | 06 Jul 2024 | T20I | Harare Sports Club | Zimbabwe Women | won by 13 runs | Zimbabwe defended 115/9; India managed only 102 in reply. |
| 5 | 19 May 2017 | ODI | Potchefstroom, South Africa | India Women | won by 10 wickets | Part of a Quadrangular series; Zimbabwe made 98; India chased in 16 overs with openers Veda (50) & Harmanpreet (39*). Deepti Sharma claimed 4 wickets. |
Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza is one of Zimbabwe’s veteran players and offers much to his country. A key contributor with both bat and ball, Sikandar will look to make an impressionful contribution during England’s Test series in Zimbabwe. Although having had some health issues previously, he is back to full fitness now and ready for this challenging series.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, all-rounder Azam Khan made his international debut for Zimbabwe in 2013 and remains an integral member of their squad today. A great team player, Khan was honored as player of tournament at 2022 World Cup qualifiers where Zimbabwe nearly single-handedly secured their ticket to Australia – almost singlehandedly punching their ticket through to Australia!
Raza has made numerous key contributions for Zimbabwe, scoring his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka and scoring an astonishing 107 in just 43 balls against Pakistan during their T20 match. Raza stands a good chance of qualifying for ICC T20 World Cup tournament.
After an initially slow start in his career, he eventually hit form in 2010 and scored 44 runs for Southern Rocks in the final of the Stanbic Bank T20 competition – an achievement which caught the attention of selectors and saw him added to their 2011 World Cup training camp squad.
Raza boasts an excellent record against spinners and will look to carry it over into the T20 series against India. He plans on being aggressive with his play and breaking partnerships using the ball – supported by players such as Chamu Chibhabha and Dion Myers.
Jongwe Luke
Jongwe Luke, born in Harare and raised by his parents who preferred for him to focus on studies instead of cricket, began his cricketing journey aged 16. At 16 he was selected for Zimbabwe Under-14 team tour to Namibia as fast bowler despite their disapproval – determined to make his mark in cricket regardless of what others thought! His parents disapproved but Jongwe vowed he would make himself known through hard work on and off the pitch.
He made his ODI debut in 2014 but failed to impress, but later made the Zimbabwe President’s XI team for the Africa T20 Cup where he performed well and took five wickets at one time – taking his maiden five-wicket haul during that tournament – although due to a head injury sustained during practice that year it prevented him from making his international T20I debut for Zimbabwe.
However, he has since returned to the national side for their five-match T20I series against India and made it clear he intends to make an impression and is working hard on improving his game.
Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain, is confident his players will deliver an outstanding performance and take out the series win. After suffering defeat at Hobart earlier in the series, their fielding proved costly; thus requiring improvements here as well.
Zimbabwe captain Trevor Hohns has expressed his pride at their players for conducting post-match interviews in Shona, a language many cricketers do not speak fluently. Hohns believes it is important to show pride for one’s country internationally, and hopes more players follow their lead. Lastly, Hohns believes his team needs to work on its batting in order to score more runs.
Chatara Tendai
Chatara, born 28 February 1991 in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe is an outstanding fast bowler who extracts exceptional pace and movement off the pitch. Since making his Mountaineers debut in 2009 he has quickly established himself. Notable for his precise deliveries during death overs. Chatara made an appearance against Jersey in 2022 T20 World Cup qualifiers where he sustained an ankle injury which ultimately forced his retirement from play.
He achieved 100 wickets in only 76 ODI matches – placing him amongst an elite group of Zimbabwean bowlers like Grant Flower, Graeme Cremer Raymond Price Prosper Utseya and Heath Streak. Currently playing for Durban Qalandars T10 League side and looking impressive with impressive figures!
Zimbabwe are an accomplished team despite their poor Test record, boasting an experienced group of players to rely on in shorter formats such as T20. Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Wessley Madhevere are central members while pace bowlers Newman Nyamhuri Trevor Gwandu and Chatara are performing admirably.
Chatara didn’t make the final cut for Zimbabwe to face South Africa at Bulawayo, but is expected to feature when they take on New Zealand in a two-Test series later this week. He is set to join them later in preparation for their tour of New Zealand.
Zimbabwe Cricket, already struggling financially, needs the tour to New Zealand at this crucial juncture to remain viable. Their cash-strapped board had to borrow funds in early 2007 just to cover match fees for top-quality players – otherwise many might leave and abandon them all together.
Kaia Innocent
Zimbabwe displayed some top-class talent early in its Test existence. Heath Streak, Andy Flower and Grant Goodwin were all formidable batsmen who could rival any top opposition; unfortunately their bowling attack lacked depth compared to most Full Members; additionally their inconsistency led to limited overall success.
The 2003 World Cup, at which co-hosts Zimbabwe were soundly defeated by New Zealand in both Tests and limited-overs matches, was particularly disheartening for Zimbabweans. Henry Olonga and Andy Flower caused controversy when they donned black armbands as a protest against the political situation in their homeland, leading to them being kicked off the squad. After the World Cup, some Zimbabwe players chose to step away from international cricket due to financial issues or frustration at Graeme Cremer’s direction of their side. Meanwhile, Barney Rogers led an emerging domestic side, featuring Travis Friend, Hamilton Masakadza, Dougie Marillier, Mark Vermeulen, Sean Ervine Craig Wishart Tatenda Taibu as players.
Kaia Innocent made his Twenty20 debut for Zimbabwe in the Africa T20 Cup in September 2017 as well as playing for Southern Rocks in the 2020-21 Logan Cup, scoring over 2,000 runs for his domestic league before earning himself a call-up to represent Zimbabwe internationally.
Kaia made his Test debut for Zimbabwe against the West Indies at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo in February 2023, scoring 68 runs against Jamaica before scoring 76 against Ireland. Additionally, he competed in several T20 internationals during this period as well.
Madande Clive
Cricket players experience both highs and lows during a Test match. At Stormont in Ireland, Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Clive Madande had an exceptionally difficult day behind the stumps, conceding 42 byes in one innings – surpassing Les Ames’ previous record of 37 byes set in 1934.
After an early collapse, Zimbabweans Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor steadied the ship by scoring 59 not out and 58 not out respectively in order to win their match. Zimbabwe are an up and coming side boasting tremendous talent; their young players continue to improve over time to become international contenders.
Zimbabwe’s cricket team stands as an inspiring testament to how sports can bring communities together. Despite political divisions within Zimbabwe, cricket has become a national pastime supported by most residents despite all odds. Vusi Sibanda and Brendan Taylor standout among their teammates.
Though they have had limited results thus far, this team still has an optimistic future ahead. Their board cleared all debt and domestic structures have begun improving. Furthermore, club systems are revitalising while grassroots systems are being established – not to mention they’ve attracted many sponsors and supporters!
Clive Madande prefers not to discuss his private affairs; nonetheless, he has amassed an immense fan following of nearly 2000 followers on Instagram alone and continues to expand it further. Although his career has experienced highs and lows, Madande remains positive and upbeat in spite of it all.
