Second string India to take on Zimbabwe in first ODI

A young Indian side, led by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, will aim to set aside the bitter memories of the recent Bangladesh tour and will aim to re-establish their image, when they will take on Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-match series today.

The tour is being look at as an opportunity for the young players to capitalise and leave a mark on the selectors.

Rahane, however, has already clarified that the team would not be taking the hosts lightly, who have been playing some very good cricket in recent times.

Rahane has to come out with a spirited performance to cement his place in the Indian middle-order as well as to lead his young team. Other players such as Robin Uthappa, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu and Manish Pandey too would be keen to make a mark.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead the pace attack and is most likely to have Mohit Sharma as his new ball partner.

Meanwhile, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who is making a comeback to the ODI side after two years, is certain to make the playing XI for the series-opener, along with Axar Patel.