Comfortable as underdogs, says Ebrahim ahead of India clash

Colombo: Zimbabwe assistant coach Dion Ebrahim said his side has ticked all the right boxes in preparation and is comfortable being labelled the underdogs ahead of their Super 8 clash against India, adding that the key would be to not get overwhelmed by the occasion.

Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to top Group B. They will face reigning champions India, two-time champions West Indies and 2024 finalists South Africa in the Super 8.

“I think rankings and every other measurement will state us as the underdogs which is perfectly fine. I think when we came into the World Cup this year, we were definitely the underdogs in the group and it’s a place we like to operate in,” Ebrahim said.

“I think Sikandar touched on it a few days ago; that the benefit of being the underdogs is that we go into those games or that particular game with no pressure really because all the pressure sits with the India team in India in conditions which they are familiar with, a format which they have been gradually improving and getting stronger and stronger.”

Ebrahim, however, said Zimbabwe would need to guard against being overwhelmed by the occasion when they face India.

“...it will be the big challenge of us making sure that we are not overwhelmed

by the occasion first and foremost and not overwhelmed by the crowds, the atmosphere, especially when India take momentum because they will.

“They are likely to take momentum and the benefit of having overcome today’s game with victories that we managed to wrestle back momentum several times to win a game in front of a great Sri Lankan crowd.”

He said that the team had prepared thoroughly for the challenge. “In terms of preparation, in terms of plans, we’d be comfortable that we have ticked all the right boxes to approach that game in the best possible manner.