T20 Cricket World Cup India v Zimbabwe Tips: Three picks for man of the match

• India playing knockout cricket
• Zimbabwe may lack off-spinner
• Pitch likely to suit hosts
• Ishan, Abhishek and Sky MoM picks
• For Betfair's latest cricket betting odds click here

India v Zimbabwe
Thursday 26 February, 13.30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

India v Zimbabwe T20WC team news

India are now playing knockout cricket. They will have to win their remaining two group matches to make the semi-finals. It is not the scenario envisaged by their backers as the hosts have struggled to get going.

Against South Africa they were outclassed with bat and ball and there are now major worries that this group don't have the leadership to navigate a tricky spell. Suryakumar Yadav, the skip, Gautam Gambhir, the coach and senior players don't appear to be coming up with the answers.

Abhishek Shamra's four failures (including three ducks) has summed up their efforts. Washington Sundar at No 4 against the South Africans is not what a title-winning side looks like. At some stage they may pair Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as a twin spin threat.

Possible India XI:  Abhishek, Ishan, Tilak, Sky, Hardik, Dube, Rinku, Axar/Sundar, Arhsdeep/Kuldeep, Bumrah, Varun

Zimbabwe got a reality check against West Indies when they failed to be competitive. Their bowlers went round the park for the highest score conceded and they were then rolled for 147.

There will be no panic, however. The same XI is likely to take to the field again with Ryan Burl confirming that Sikandar Raza was fit despite taking a blow on the hand against West Indies. 

Probable Zimbabwe XI: Bennett, Marumani, Myers, Burl, Raza, Munyonga, Musekiwa, Evans, Cremer, Muzarabani, Ngarava

India v Zimbabwe T20WC pitch report

At this stage of the tournament we would expect the Chennai surface to be taking significant turn. But there have been no signs of the famous wear and tear at the Chidambarram. All six matches have seen first-innings scores of 170 or more while the last match saw Afghanistan bust 200 against Canada. 

It is not normal for the surface to start off as a good batting track but given the scores we do not suggest betting on it reverting to type. Indeed, India will want a flat one to blow Zimbabwe away. They know the Zims want a wicket with some grip and indifferent bounce. Of course many will argue that India cannot get a wicket to order because this is the ICC's tournament. Please pay attention in future folks. India get what they want. 

India v Zimbabwe T20WC match prediction

India are no better than 1.071/14 for victory. That's no surprise. It does look as though routes to a Zimbabwe shock might be blocked off. For a start, as discussed, the Chennai surface should be one for the batters.

The other way for Zimbabwe to get in the game is to take on India's left-handers. There could be six in the top eight so an off-spinner of quality is needed. Alas, Zimbabwe don't really have one. They may ask Brian Bennett to bowl his offies in the powerplay as a surprise tactic. Raza can also bowl that style.

But instead of looking for nuanced ways to get with Zimbabwe, the most basic could be the 6/42.50 that india win and both teams make 160. The Zims weren't far off that against the windies despite their top order being blown away.

India v Zimbabwe T20WC player tips

If India get the pitch they want they should dominate. So this is a good time to note the relationship betwen the top batsman market and man of the match market. So often the gong goes to the winning team's highest runscorer. Bowlers, despite producing the more impressive performances, just don't get the credit they deserve. Look at Marco Jansen against India when his four wickets should have been enough. Instead it went to top-bat David Miller.

The argument is that the top India bat prices and match gong is clsoe to being the same bet. So you're getting 13/27.50 about Abhsihek Sharma winning MOM when he's 10/34.33 for top bat. Abhishek is overdue. Stick in Ishan Kishan and Yadav for sensible, split stakes. 

Now read Ed's Ultimate Guide to the T20 World Cup