India to tour Zimbabwe for three ODIs for next month, series to be a part of the Super League

Team India is slated to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series in August. Further details about the tour, including the dates, are yet to be finalised. Reports suggest that three games that are a part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League have been tentatively scheduled for August 18, 20 and 22, respectively. 

India's tour to Zimbabwe will be their first in the last six years. Last time around, the MS Dhoni-led Indian team visited the African nation to feature in three ODIs and as many T20Is in June-July 2016.

However, this time around, India will not be playing any T20Is as the Asia Cup is scheduled to begin after just a week following India's third ODI. The Asia Cup is slated to commence on August 27 in Sri Lanka. Given the limited time frame between the two series, India may again field two different sides simultaneously.

The ODIs are of utmost importance for the Chevrons as crucial points for the qualification to the following year's ODI World Cup will be up for grabs. They are, however, not as important for India, the hosts of the event, as the Indian team had directly qualified for the pinnacle event next October.

Moreover, the six ODIs that India will be playing back to back, starting with England followed by the West Indies, will not be a part of the Super League. 

"We are absolutely delighted to host India and we look forward to a competitive and memorable series," a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) official told Cricbuzz on Friday (July 8). As of now, all the matches are to be played at the Harare Sports Club in the capital city. The Indian team is expected to arrive in Harare on August 15.

"It's a big opportunity for the players to play against the Indian players and for the cricketing fraternity in Zimbabwe. It will create a lot of interest amongst the younger generation to take up this game. Overall, the series is very good for Zimbabwe cricket," said Lalchand Rajput, the former coach of the side, who has now been re-designated as the Technical Director. Dave Houghton is the head coach of the Craig Ervine-led side.