All eyes on Rahane as India look for a winning start

India wobbled initially in their run chase against Zimbabwe in the World Cup

India's tour of Zimbabwe comes our way tomorrow. All matches will be played in Harare, unlike the last tour of India where matches were split between Harare and Bulawayo. India will not take Zimbabwe lightly whereas Zimbabwe will see it as an opportunity to put an unexpected challenge to this new look Indian side.

This Zimbabwean team with hardly any changes will be prepared for the Indian challenge. The Indian team, on the other hand, is totally new faced. Ajinkya Rahane being the new captain has a task in his hand suited to his calibre. The series importance can in no way be undermined. Zimbabwe will look to take authority and will be putting pressure from the word 'GO' on this renewed Indian team looking to make a mark. India after their Bangladesh loss are certainly looking to wash away any doubts in the minds of their supporters.

The Indian team has a new captain, Ajinkya Rahane. He was dropped midway during the Bangladesh series, but finds himself leading the group all off a sudden. BCCI now duly supported by the Advisory Committee which include the former greats are quite happy with the decision. This move might reflect the new approach the BCCI would adopt in the coming days. The team has players who have been on the bench for quite some time.

The air in the dressing room might be new, but the players are well accustomed to it. Players like Manish Pandey and Sandeep Sharma who have impressed one and all with their performances in the IPL and will look to make the most out of the chances that they will be receiving this time. Harbhajan Singh gets a chance too. The team seems balanced with a right proportion of all-rounders like Axar Patel, Stuart Binny both being handy with both bat and ball in hand. A commanding performance by the new look team here will surely pose a challenge to the rested players.

Zimbabwe are no minnows although the records might suggest differently. The difference in their record and performance is their inability to provide the finishing touch. They have come close to winning matches but faltered. They will look to set the record straight this time and provide their winning graph a jump. Elton Chigumbura, the captain is well capable of creating upsets.

The team lacks experience but not determination and enthusiasm. Players like Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams in the middle order are killers on their day. This team knows well when to put the brakes and when to step the pedal up.

The pitches in Zimbabwe have a mix texture. It isn’t tough to bat, but it will certainly be challenging. The pacers and spinners will have a role to play and they are never out of the game. All in all, the conditions and the teams are well suited to put forward an eye-catching clash. If anyone thinks that it will be a "Walk in the park" tour for India, then they have never been more wrong. Let's hope the game stands up to our expectations.

Predicted lineups:

India: Ajinkya Rahane(c), Murali Vijay, Manish Pandey, Manoj Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Stuart Binny, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma

Zimbabwe: Vusi Sibanda, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Tinashe Panyangara and Brian Vitori.