Daijiworld Media Network

Harare, Jun 22 : Hello all! It's the final day of India's tour of Zimbabwe. After sleepwalking their way through a whitewash in the ODIs, Zimbabwe came to life in the first T20 as a fresh desire drove them to a thrilling 2-run victory. However, normal service restored for India in the second game - steamrolling to level the series 1-1. The final game promises to be an exciting battle with India holding the edge over the hosts.

The visitors showed their class in spite of picking a second string side. They would aim to continue being ruthless and end the tour on a confident note. Dhoni knows the importance of winning matches, and with the series on the line, he will probably not tinker with the playing XI. Zimbabwe still have injury concerns over Richmond Mutumbami and Brian Chari. T20 is a fickle format but it looks extremely difficult for the home team to topple India unless they raise their game by several notches. Toss and team updates in a while..

Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to field

Dhoni: 'We were looking to bat first today. I don't think it will get better in the second innings, so toss is not crucial. The last game was the one where there was variable bounce. We are playing with the same side.'

Cremer: 'We will have a bowl. The wicket looks the same. No real reason why we want to bowl first. We will try and restrict them. We hope to get better with the ball and then play with freedom with the bat. We need a good day and for a few things to go our way.'

Teams:

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Peter Moor(w), Vusi Sibanda, Timycen Maruma, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer(c), Neville Madziva, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara

India (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w/c), Axar Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Yuzvendra Chahal

Preview by Prakash Govindasreenivasan

After a show of vast improvement in the first Twenty20 International, Zimbabwe's batsmen reverted to mediocrity in the second game on Monday (June 21), allowing India to claw their way back into the series. MS Dhoni & Co.'s 10-wicket win took the series to the decider and in turn, shifted the pressure back on the hosts.

Makhaya Ntini lamented the basic mistakes made by the senior lot in the top order that led to the big loss on Monday. Unless those issues, which have persisted since the first One-Day International (ODI) are addressed, a similar fate awaits Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I. For Zimbabwe to stand a chance to stun India, the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha and Sikandar Raza need to display patience to negotiate early inward movement generated by Barinder Sran and the accuracy of Jasprit Bumrah to ensure the team is not rocked early. Not losing a wicket in the first five-six overs will be of paramount importance for them, as will the need to leave a solid platform for Elton Chigumbura.

The visitors did not waste too much time in turning their fortunes around by plugging the holes that were left exposed in the first game. A clinical performance from the bowlers allowed for a one-sided narrative that has been seen all through the ODIs, giving the visitors the edge before the last game.

When: June 22 at 01:00 PM Local Time, 04:30 PM IST

Where: Harare Sports Club, Harare

What to expect: Plenty of sunshine expected with a maximum temperature of 21 degrees celsius

Team News:

India: After having given opportunities to Rishi Dhawan and Jaydev Unadkat in the first T20I, Dhoni replaced them with Sran and Bumrah, a pair that has bowled a lot more in the recent past and had a big impact during the ODIs. With the series on the line, it is unlikely that there will be any changes to the team.

Zimbabwe: With Peter Moor stepping in and being the only batsman with a notable contribution in the second game, Zimbabwe could face a bit of selection dilemma if Richmond Mutumbami recovers in time from his hip injury.

Who said what:

Makhaya Ntini: We've decided to give them (Zimbabwe players) an off day. We don't want to see any of them here. We know as players as well it's not a nice thing that you wake up and everyday you think about going to training. It's going to be the same thing over and over. So we are going to tell them no training tomorrow. We don't want to see or hear anyone. Go and play with your kids, go have coffee in coffee shop, stop thinking about cricket and then we will see (what happens) on the last day.

Did you know:

- The third T20I will be India's 19th of the year - the most number of T20Is played by any team in an year going past Pakistan's 18 in 2010. MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah have featured in all 18 matches.

- MS Dhoni win be captaining India for the 324th international match across formats - joint most for any with Ricky Ponting.

- Hamilton Masakadza will be playing his 50th T20I on Wednesday - the first to reach the landmark for Zimbabwe.

- Zimbabwe averages 15.20 and scores at 6.33 in the Powerplay overs. The corresponding figures for India are 40.50 and 6.75.

- KL Rahul has faced 276 deliveries in the tour. Ambati Rayudu is the only other Indian to face 100 balls while four from Zimbabwe has done it.