3 min learnFeb 24, 2026 09:22 AM IST
Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons admitted that the crew confronted a steep studying curve in Indian situations after their 107-run loss to the West Indies within the Tremendous 8 conflict in Mumbai on Monday, stating that a lot of the squad had little prior expertise taking part in in India.
Sammons mentioned that solely three members of Zimbabwe’s taking part in XI had beforehand featured in India, making the adjustment notably difficult.
“There’s large learnings for us,” Sammons mentioned on the post-match presentation. “If we take a look at it, most likely solely three of our beginning XI have performed in India earlier than. For eight gamers, it’s the primary time. The situations are utterly completely different, the grounds are smaller, and the ball comes on higher. We’ll take these learnings and transfer ahead.”
Zimbabwe had spent the sooner a part of the event in Sri Lanka and are additionally accustomed to bigger venues corresponding to Harare, one thing Sammons believes influenced how the match unfolded.
“A few mishits right here can go for six, whereas in Sri Lanka they is perhaps caught. Harare can also be a extremely massive floor, so that is one thing the group will study from,” he mentioned.
Waiting for their subsequent sport towards India in Chennai, Sammons felt the marginally greater dimensions there may assist, although he expects one other aggressive strategy from their opponents.
“We all know India are going to return out in an identical method to West Indies – they received’t maintain again. We have to be smarter in how we reply underneath stress. At instances we had been a bit predictable, and that’s one thing we are able to enhance on.”
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Sammons additionally singled out quick bowler Blessing Muzarabani for reward, highlighting his affect within the powerplay and his rising confidence after getting back from harm.
“He’s been sensible for us. His top is a large power, and he’s managed his line and size very properly,” Sammons mentioned, including {that a} dropped catch off Muzarabani early within the innings proved expensive. “If that probability had been taken, the sport might need regarded very completely different.”
Regardless of the consequence, Sammons pointed to positives, notably Brad Evans’ counterattacking batting late within the innings. He mentioned performances like that may enhance confidence throughout the squad as Zimbabwe proceed their Tremendous 8 marketing campaign.
“Nobody actually gave us an opportunity to be right here,” Sammons mentioned. “So we’ve acquired to take the small wins, benefit from the expertise and hold believing we are able to compete.”