Agencies
Harare
Pushed to the brink before managing a narrow win in the opening ODI, India will have to quickly sort out their middle-order batting woes when they take on a spirited Zimbabwe in the second one-dayer on Sunday.
The visitors, who huffed and puffed to a narrow four-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, will be hoping for a clinical show in the second game as they look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will be eager to come up with another fighting performance and hope that it helps them stay alive in the series.
The Indians have much to worry about on the batting front given that the middle order let the side down badly. In fact, had it not been for career-best efforts by Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny, even putting up a decent total on the board would have been quite tough for the tourists. The likes of Murali Vijay, Manoj Tiwary and skipper Ajinkya Rahane himself will have to come up with improved performances to ensure that India do not find themselves in a tough position again.
Zimbabwe, to their credit, showed stomach for a fight and skipper Elton Chigumbura epitomised that with a gallant unbeaten 104. The home team's sprightly attitude will serve them well, but as the captain mentioned after the first game, the front-line batsmen need to show more responsibility and ensure that the team does not rely on the lower order in crunch situations.
