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Having come behind to lead 1-2, India are now aiming to put the series beyond Zimbabwe’s reach with victory again in Harare.
DATE/TIME: Saturday 13th July 2024: UK – 12:00pm / INDIA – 4.30pm / US EST – 7:00am / US PST – 4:00am
VENUE: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
WEATHER: Extremely hot conditions with bright sunshine throughout, light winds and temperatures at 24c
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / INDIA – Sony Sports / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Not televised / INDIA – SonyLIV / US – Willow TV website
ZIMBABWE FORM: DESPITE MYERS HEROICS, CHEVRONS FALL SHORT
Chasing 183 to win in the third T20i, Zimbabwe essentially lost the game in the powerplay after being reduced to 19/3 after just 19 balls. They then fell to 39/5 by the end of the seventh over and despite a late rally led by Dion Myers, the game was already beyond the hosts.
LAST FIVE: LLWWL
INDIA FORM: TOURISTS BAT ZIMBABWE OUT OF CONTENTION FOR SECOND STRAIGHT GAME
India backed up their dominant showing in the second T20i with another professional performance on Wednesday, winning by 23 runs to take a series lead and put themselves within one match of gaining an unassailable advantage over their opponents.
LAST FIVE: WWLWW
ZIMBABWE BETTING ANALYSIS
We tipped Blessing Muzarabani to show his quality with the ball by gaining 2+ wickets in the third T20i, especially when considering that he holds the responsibility to bowling both in the powerplay and at the death. The 27-year-old came through for bettors and his potency could be an important factor again here. With that in mind, repeating the same bet is worth serious consideration via the ‘Bowler Milestones’ market.
Multiple markets appeal when it comes to investing in all-rounder Sikandar Raza. The Zimbabwean skipper hasn’t quite hit the heights he would’ve hoped to with the ball, but has dominated on the bowling front, his spin accounting for five wickets across the series so far. Although a stake in Raza to finish as Zimbabwe’s top bowler looks a smart move, it would be no surprise if a batter of his quality was to find form sooner or later, so also explore potentially backing Raza to gain 20+ runs in the fourth T20i.
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
Bowler Avesh Khan averages two wickets across the series so far, his most recent figures being 2/39 in the third T20i, which included two crucial powerplay wickets. Zimbabwe batters are likely to take risks against Avesh in a bid to score runs, which brings into play the increased potential of more wickets. Therefore, back Avesh not only to accrue over 1.5 match wickets here, but also to finish as India’s top bowler.
After failing in the second T20i with a score of just 2 in an overall India score of 234/2, Shubman Gill was back in the runs on Wednesday, racking up 66 from 49 balls. A player of Gill’s class is unlikely to be kept quiet for long and he’s well worth investing to back that up with another substantial total on Saturday. A stake on Gill to accrue 30+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market has to be favoured.
ZIMBABWE VS INDIA EXPERT PREDICTION
India understandably are big favourites to make it three wins in a row and secure a series victory in the process. But the value in backing them is extremely low, so going a different route appears the shrewd play on this occasion. Expect the tourists to once again assert their authority over their opponents with the bat early on, regardless of whether they are setting or chasing a target.
Consistency has been key recently for top order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is having a very good series so far. Gaikwad backed up his score of 77 not out in the second T20i by hitting 49 last time out, despite being moved down one spot in the order. Such versatility increases his appeal from a betting perspective and the expectation is that Gaikwad will maintain his recent form with the bat in the fourth T20i.
ZIMBABWE VS INDIA TIP: RUTURAJ GAIKWAD TO SCORE OVER 27.5 MATCH RUNS