Makhaya Ntini
Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE were quickly brought down to earth yesterday, after the drama and joy of Saturday, as the Chevrons crashed to a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the second Twenty20 International at Harare Sports Club. This now sets a winner-take-all third match at the same venue tomorrow. And Zimbabwe coach Makhaya Ntini has given his players a day off today because he wants them to come for the final showdown a fresher lot.
Ntini feels his men have been trying too hard and they have ended up making mistakes along the way and exposing themselves. “They (Zimbabwe players) will have a rest day tomorrow (today), I guess they need to have time with their families, play with their kids,” said Ntini.
“We have been training on each of the days we have not been playing. “But look at the Indians, they have barely practised throughout the series, yesterday they were out watching movies and so, at times, it is about refreshing and making sure the players don’t think about cricket.
“It is like studying. You can tell a child to go and study but all they just do is sit there and look at the book and you think they are studying. “It is not good to wake up every day with cricket on your mind.”
Ntini feels Zimbabwe’s 10-wicket loss yesterday was because his men were lacking “enjoyment” of the game and trying too hard. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe were 99-9 at the end of their 20 overs and in reply the Indians powered to 103 without any loss to win with 41 balls remaining.
That is as big a win in Twenty20 Internationals as they come. And, after their victory yesterday, Indian skipper MS Dhoni and his men chose to play football with the groundsmen.
“We need to find happiness,” said Ntini. “We need to find out the side that makes them tick and because they are also vulnerable there is need to build the positive side.
“There has not been happiness in the team because no one tried to make them closer (to the technical team) before so they could try and understand them.” Barinder Sran’s heroics with the ball destroyed Zimbabwe’s top order.
Zimbabwe were reduced to 28-4 with Sran finishing with figures of 4-10 in his four overs. He was helped by Jasprit Bumrah who weighed in with 3-11 in his four.
“They want to score quickly resulting in poor shot selection and that needs to be corrected,” said Ntini. “You cannot win a game with one shot. So as a coach I need to be pushy and make sure they all can’t get out the same way, there is need to control their ego.”