Lagatar24 Desk
Harare, Zimbabwe – Following a shocking 13-run victory over a new-look Indian team in the opening T20I, Zimbabwe’s spinner Wellington Masakadza has emphasized the significance of exploiting home conditions in their five-match series. Masakadza warned that underestimating the Zimbabwean side could be detrimental for India.
The Shubman Gill-led Indian team, fresh from their T20 World Cup triumph with a different squad, faltered against an inexperienced yet determined Zimbabwean team. After restricting Zimbabwe to a modest 115 for nine, India collapsed to 28 for four in the Powerplay and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 19.5 overs. This marked India’s first T20I loss in 2024 and their first defeat to Zimbabwe in eight years.
Masakadza, who achieved figures of 1/15 in three overs, stated, “We are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can against this Indian side. It’s a second-string Indian side, but there are a lot of good players in there. So, we are looking forward to this series.”
“We’ve had a few plans in place. We needed them to work and obviously, we are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can against this Indian side,” he added during an interview with PTI Videos facilitated by broadcasters Sony Sports Network.
The Zimbabwean spinner expressed his ambition to dismiss Indian captain Shubman Gill and other key players like Parag. “I’ll be looking to take Shubman Gill’s big wicket and some of the right-handers, Parag and some of the other guys in the side. It will be a very good challenge,” Masakadza said. He acknowledged the prowess of Indian spinners like Bishnoi and Sundar, noting the challenge they present.
With Harare experiencing winter conditions, Masakadza highlighted the advantage for Zimbabwean pacers familiar with the pitch. “It’s winter here and at times it’s a bit difficult for batters as the pitch is slowish, with a bit of turn. The seam is always a very big challenge in Harare during winter. So, I think the ball will move a bit and it will spin also,” he explained.
A veteran of 90 T20Is, Masakadza underscored the significance of a series win for Zimbabwean cricket, which has faced years of decline. “This series will mean a lot to us. If we manage to win the series, it will be a very big thing in our future,” he said. He mentioned the new coaching staff and the team’s efforts to start a new chapter in Zimbabwean cricket.
Looking ahead, Masakadza expressed his aspirations to play in leagues like the IPL, following in the footsteps of his captain Sikandar Raza, who played for Punjab Kings this season. Raza was named ‘Player of the Match’ on Saturday for his three wickets and crucial 17 runs.
“Definitely, it’s always a good thing to go out there and play in those leagues. I will look to take some wickets in this series. That can be good for me to get a gig,” Masakadza concluded.
