Indians would do well in not taking Zimbabwe lightly

On past record and present form, the two crucial criteria on the eve of any contest, it is tempting to place Zimbabwe as no-hopers in the five-match one-day series against India. But in reality, the scenario is not as simple as that.

Even Indian coach John Wright conceded that the absence of Tendulkar and Sehwag will be felt, although he is hoping to build on the confidence that the Indians would have gained after winning both Tests. While expressing the view that India will win the series, Wright admitted that Zimbabwe are a better limited-overs side than a Test team.

It is true that Zimbabwe lost all three one-day games in 1992-93 and went down by four matches to one on the next tour of this country just 15 months ago. Also, India got the better of New Zealand and South Africa at home during the 1999-2000 season and lost only to world champions Australia by one match a year ago in a stirring contest that went down to the wire. The squared verdict against England a few weeks ago is neither here nor there.

India's dominance at home is not as pronounced in the one-day game as it is in Test cricket. But the track record is still very impressive. But India would do well to not take the Zimbabweans too lightly. Only last year, they won home and away contests against New Zealand. Although their steadily improving record was tarnished by 3-0 and 5-0 defeats to South Africa and England at home earlier this season, it is obvious that Zimbabwe are not the team that once had an unenviable record of having lost seven out of eight games played in two bilateral contests in this country.

Having acclimatised themselves to Indian conditions and after sizing up the opposition ­ even if limited-overs cricket is different from the longer version of the game ­ the Zimbabweans will fancy their chances of challenging the home side. But the fact is that the Indians have been considerably weakened by the non-availability, due to various reasons, of Javagal Srinath, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.

The withdrawal of these key players immediately throws doubt over the top order, the middle order and the opening bowling. Zimbabwe's experienced all-rounder Heath Streak has been quick and accurate in his assessment of the situation. He feels the absence of Tendulkar and Sehwag will greatly reduce the firepower of the Indians and "we hope to cash in on that." That is a true professional speaking.

Even Indian coach John Wright conceded that the absence of Tendulkar and Sehwag will be felt, although he is hoping to build on the confidence that the Indians would have gained after winning both Tests. While expressing the view that India will win the series, Wright admitted that Zimbabwe are a better limited-overs side than a Test team. Whatever their batting and bowling limitations ­ as compared to the Indians on paper ­ they proved in the Test matches that they were far superior in fielding, and this aspect gains in importance in the one-day game.

Zimbabwe's batting will again revolve around the Flower brothers, the experienced Alistair Campbell, skipper Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart, the solid Dion Ebrahim and Douglas Marillier. Streak of course can be depended on to strike a few lusty blows in the end overs, and the burly, experienced all-rounder will also spearhead the bowling attack, manned by Travis Friend, Gary Brent and Pommie Mbangwa.

For India, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan will be in charge of the new ball in the absence of Srinath, while Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh will complete the quartet of main bowlers. Sanjay Bangar and Sourav Ganguly, as back-up bowlers, look pretty modest, and it is here that the absence of Tendulkar and Sehwag will be felt, for the two, besides their expertise with the bat, can always be counted upon to either restrict the scoring or break a troublesome partnership. Thus the responsibilities on the four main bowlers will be that much greater.

While the non-availability of Tendulkar and Sehwag will obviously be felt, the batting still looks quite strong. A line up of Ganguly, Bangar, Dinesh Mongia, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Kaif and Agarkar does inspire confidence. I have never been happy with the selection of Shiv Sunder Das for the one-day squad. He is blessed with a technique ideally suited to Test cricket, and it would be better if this precious gift were restricted to the longer game instead of the slam-bang variety. In the long run, the exposure to limited-overs cricket might harm his technique, and Indian cricket certainly can do without such damage. Ajay Ratra, on the other hand, is a welcome choice, and it is to be hoped that he grabs this opportunity with both gloves and cements his place in the squad.