THE EDGE: The Edge previews the 1st T20 between ZIMBABWE v INDIA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Zimbabwe v India 1st T20
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s only been a week since the T20 World Cup Final, and the winners India are back in action on Betdaq Betting Exchange as they begin their tour of Zimbabwe. It’s another example of how the cricket calendar just never stops – teams just don’t get a break these days, and when they do the players make the choice to play in the highly paid franchise leagues. I was always chuckle when players claim to be burnt out for International cricket and then decide they have had “enough rest” just as a new franchise league pops up! India have opted for a “Second XI” for this tour; however given the wealth of T20 talent they have they still have a very strong squad.
That is due to the success of the IPL, and India now have a steady stream of young talented crickets who hit the ball a mile. For Zimbabwe, this will be the highlight of their summer – they are still recovering from the fact that they didn’t make the World Cup. They would have been massive odds on in their qualifier but they’ve been going through a tough time lately. India coming does highlight what an advantage it is to be a full member – Scotland and Netherlands made the World Cup, but you wouldn’t see India touring them. Obviously an India tour will bring a lot of money to the board, but it would be a surprise if Zimbabwe managed to win a game.
It will be interesting to see how the young Indian stars perform here. Zimbabwe have a new coach as Cherl Langeveldt takes over – Zimbabwe got beaten by Namibia and Uganda in the Africa qualifier for the World Cup and they were at basically full strength too. The road back from that starts here, against the best side in the world – admittedly with their Second XI!
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
There’s five T20’s on this tour, and all five will be played in Harare Sports Club. This is Zimbabwe’s main cricket ground; the only ground that could host a side like India to be honest. We should know conditions well by the end of the week! The way the schedule has worked out, this is the first T20 of 2024 here. There was six International T20’s here is 2023, and Zimbabwe played Ireland in all of them! To be honest, the last time a top tier side played a T20 here was back in 2021 when Pakistan toured. I would go into this game with an open mind on scoring, we’re going to have a range of scores depending on who bats first in my opinion.
RECOMMENDED BET:
India come into this game as the red-hot favourites at 1.15. On the face of things, that feels a little short for a Second XI Indian side; however let’s not forget that this Zimbabwe side couldn’t make it through the African qualifiers for the World Cup which wasn’t too long ago. Obviously the home side are going through a period of transition in their squad and it’s hard to have faith in them at the moment. I’m interested to see how both sides perform in the opening game; I feel India win but the 1.15 doesn’t offer much value and I’m not going to recommended it.
The Edge Says:
No Bet.
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/ZimInd
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Harare is generally a ground where we can see early wickets. You generally want to bowl first here, but that generally in morning games – usually Test or ODI cricket. There’s less of an edge for T20 cricket obviously, but I still feel the side bowling first will be worth supporting when they have the new ball. This market might become very interesting if India lose early wickets; they have such a good batting line-up I would be interested in backing them at 1.25 or bigger in-running.
