India bat first in crucial match against Zimbabwe India take on Zimbabwe in a must-win match for both sides. For India, under great pressure from their disgruntled supporters at home, defeat would make their task of reaching the Super Six stage almost impossible and increase the condemnation of them to unbearable levels. Their batting, though strong on paper, is in crisis, and they will hope desperately that the comparatively friendly Zimbabwe bowling will help them regain their confidence. The pitch is slightly green, but not markedly so. Heath Streak, on winning the toss put India in to bat. The Harare Sports Club pitch is well-known for giving life and movement for the first hour or so of a match, although with the more batting-friendly pitches in recent years this has become less significant. The match begins in hot, humid weather, but with a chance of rain later in the day. With Andy Blignaut fit again, Zimbabwe omitted Henry Olonga. India’s stated batting order showed Virender Sehwag exchanging places with captain Sourav Ganguly to open the batting, and seamer Ashish Nehra replacing Anil Kumble.

We have to regain our belief: Wright India have their backs to the wall going into the World Cup Group A match against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, according to coach John Wright. "Two months ago this batting order was successful, but since the start of the tour to New Zealand we've had nine one-day performances where we haven't finished the 50 overs," Wright told reporters on Monday. "We've got to put it right if we are to be successful in this competition, and it has to start from this game and be carried through. We must beat Zimbabwe. "We have to regain our belief, our commitment and our determination to get the job done. That is critical to our success. At critical times we've been too aggressive and we've taken the wrong option. Our batting plan is simple, and that is to keep wickets in hand," he went on to observe. The die was cast for the nine-wicket hiding India were handed by Australia on Saturday when they were bowled out for 125, their lowest ever World Cup total. It followed a less-than-convincing win against Netherlands in their opener on Wednesday. "The game against Australia was always going to be tough," Wright said. "It was obviously a big game for us, and it would have meant a lot to have been successful. (The loss) didn't help from a morale point of view." "We had a stable order, but with continued under-performance you need to look at it and make the changes necessary," Wright said.

Tendulkar pleads with enraged Indian fans Sachin Tendulkar made an extraordinary plea for support from enraged Indian fans on Tuesday a day after an effigy of India captain Sourav Ganguly was burnt in Calcutta. Team-mate Mohammad Kaif's house was also pelted with black paint and oil in Allahabad. Tendulkar said: "This is to all the well-wishers in India. I am here on behalf of the Indian cricket team...We ourselves are very disappointed with the kind of performances we have put up and I also understand the disappointment you have gone through. I am just here to assure all of you that we will be fighting in all the games until the last ball is bowled... so please continue to support us, as you have done in the past, which will surely help us."

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