The second game of the T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will be played at Harare on Sunday. India leads the series 1-0 and will look to make it two to nothing.

Despite the convincing win in the first game and odds of 1/4 at Bet365 to win the second game, I get the sense that had Zimbabwe batted a little better than they did, things may have been different. India looked troubled in the first nine overs of their batting and I will be tempted to put some money on Ladbrokes’ offer of 7/2 for Zimbabwe to equal the series.

From India’s perspective, the good thing was the batting of Yusuf Pathan (8/1 at Stan James) and Virat Kohli (5/1 at Ladbrokes, both to top-score for the side), both of whom, who led the side to the comfort of the win. Pathan was particularly severe on the bowling, and looked like he wanted to prove a point after the axe that he got from the ODI side for the Asia Cup. Suresh Raina (7/2 at Ladbrokes to top-score for India) did well to come in at the number three position, and whilst he lasted, he looked belligerent.

There is a good chance that Dinesh Karthik (7/2 at Stan James) gets selected for the second game in place of Murali Vijay (7/2 at Ladbrokes, both to be the best batsmen for their side), who looked in anything but the kind of form he had exhibited in the IPL.

Zimbabwe seemed to go too hard at the Indian bowling once the spinners came on to bowl. They looked to have come out with a strategy to live by the sword, and unfortunately, in the first game, they died by it. The top-order like Brendan Taylor (3/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for Zimbabwe) – man of the series in the ODIs – and Hamilton Masakadza (7/2 at Ladbrokes to be the best batsman for his side) may need to reassess the way they perform.

The middle-order, consisting of Tatenda Taibu (7/2 at Stan James) and Chamu Chibhabha (6/1 at Ladbrokes, both to be the best batsmen for Zimbabwe) will not only need to find a way to play the Indians, but also not fritter away starts.

Tips:
Favourites: India (1/4 at Bet365)
Top India batsman: Suresh Raina (7/2 at Ladbrokes)
Top Zimbabwe batsman: Tatenda Taibu (7/2 at Stan James)