Fresh look for tri-series

Hosts hoping quick pitches will work in their favour during tournament

Last updated: 27th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fresh look for tri-series

Raina: Takes over India captaincy in absence of Dhoni

We need to start winning games and that's it; nothing else

Elton Chigumbura
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India skipper Suresh Raina and Zimbabwe counterpart Elton Chigumbura will both be eager to impress when the Zimbabwe Triangular Series kicks off in Bulawayo on Friday.

Along with Sri Lanka, the third team taking part in the one-day tournament, India have opted to use the tour as a chance to blood some fresh faces.

With regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni one of those to be given a rest, Raina has been placed in charge of a squad that is without Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.

However the 23-year-old is confident India can quickly put behind them their disappointing ICC World Twenty20 campaign in the 50-over format.

"By nature I'm very positive and, while on the field, I'm high on intensity. You've seen that and those things won't change," he said.

"I've learnt from some of our best captains, Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. There are certain things that you tend to pick up.

"I'll not be putting myself under too much pressure and I will not put my team under excessive pressure too.

"I realise one has to be disciplined and one must follow the process. The players are full of excitement and committed to making a mark. Being the captain, I'm happy with that."

Failed to Prosper

Like their opponents in the opening fixture, Zimbabwe also flattered to deceive during the recent Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean.

Their failure to make it out of the first round resulted in captain Prosper Utseya standing down, Chigumbura being appointed in his place.

The all-rounder is hoping the host nation can improve their recent one-day record, particularly as the quick wickets are expected to be in their favour.

"We are playing at home and I think we have a good chance of making an impact during this tri-series," said the new man at the helm.

"Our players have played more games now than some of the cricketers we come up against and we cannot go on blaming inexperience any more.

"We need to start winning games and that's it; nothing else."

Sri Lanka, who have Tillakaratne Dilshan in charge in the absence of both Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, begin their campaign against India on Sunday.