VETERAN Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) development coach and former player George Tandi has praised the senior men’s team for their performance against India as the Chevrons begin a rebuilding phase under new coach Justin Sammons.
He has been particularly impressed by his prodigy, Tendai Chatara, whom he coached during his development at a young age in Mutare.
Zimbabwe defeated India in the first of five T-20 Internationals on Saturday with Chatara as one of the stars of the show.
He bowled exceptionally well, defending 16 runs off the last over and ending the match among the player of the match contenders with three wickets for 16 runs from 3.5 overs.
The right arm quick picked two wickets inside three balls for the dismissals of Riyan Parag, caught by Brandon Mavuta and Rinku Singh.
Zimbabwe went on the rampage, defending a lowly total of 115/9 after they were asked to bat first.
Chatara then had his third and final wicket in the last over, getting dangerman Washington Sundar caught by Blessing Muzarabani.
India were dismissed all out for 102 runs in 19.5 overs, giving Zimbabwe a 13-run victory, while team captain Sikandar Raza was the star of the show with three wickets for 25 runs from four overs and 17 runs from 19 balls with bat.
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India rallied back and thrashed Zimbabwe in the second match on Sunday.
“We are as good as anyone in the world, but what we need is to learn to win consistently. And to prove that we can beat anyone, there is no team we haven’t beaten in Zimbabwe at the highest level except maybe England and South Africa,” Tandi said.
“But, all other teams we have beaten them in one version of the game or another. So, we are good enough and we have just proved it against the current world champions, T20I champions.
“I am excited about the victory and let’s continue working and let’s continue putting the effort so that we keep on improving and keep on winning games.”
Tandi was the first black player to be selected for the Zimbabwe national team.
“I would like to thank Givemore Makoni, the ZC managing director, for the work that he is doing, organising tours and getting our guys to get game time,” he said.
“And, also a lot of domestic cricket is being played and that is where some of our guys are coming from and the exposure they are getting at that level. So, plenty of cricket has been played and plenty of work done and a lot of work being done by ZC.
“And let’s not go to sleep, let’s continue working. And the World Cup is coming in 2027 and the Under-19 World Cup in 2026. It shows the great work being done by Zimbabwe Cricket.”
The next match will be played at the Harare Sports Club tomorrow, while the last two are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the same venue.
