Mumbai: A tour of Zimbabwe — since the retirement of greats like Heath Streak and Andy Flower — never had the same impact. The one-time sleek bunch was changed into school boys donning the red jersey and hence, Indian cricketers pitted against them couldn’t gain a foothold in international cricket following a series in the African hinterland.
These are four cricketers whose limited-overs career didn’t escalate after playing against Zimbabwe.
Naman Ojha: The Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper’s last match in the limited-overs format came in 2010, against Zimbabwe. He scored 10 off 18 balls. His Test debut came five years later, against Sri Lanka, after regular wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha’s injury.
(Photo: AP)
Robin Uthappa: The right-handed batsman – a prolific run-getter for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL and Karnataka in Ranji Trophy – had a mirror-cracking entry into international cricket in 2006 but soon, he lost steam. A Zimbabwe tour last year further closed the inroads to the Indian team. He had scored 31 off 44 balls.
(Photo: AFP)
Manoj Tiwary: A stalwart in the Bengal team, his career – often marred by injuries – didn’t take off; it became even more idle after he went to Zimbabwe last year. He was out for 10.
(Photo: BCCI)
Rahul Sanghvi: The slow left-arm bowler’s last ODI appearance came in Harare in 1998. India lost the match by 37 runs. He was expensive (0/47) in six overs and managed 8 runs off 19 balls with the bat when India needed to accelerate.
(Photo: BCCI)
