World Cup 2015, India v/s Zimbabwe: A battle of contrasts

Ryan's Folly. No lack of good sense there. It fact, it's just the opposite. That was the name given to a rock-strewn field on Mount Eden, a dormant volcanic cone, where a blacksmith named Harry Ryan built a sports field.

Today, we call it Eden Park. Named after George Eden, the first and last Earl of Auckland who neither visited this city nor knew of the venue's existence, it has hosted games of cricket, rugby, football, hockey, athletics and gymnastics. Even the great Dhyan Chand exhibited his wizardry on this hallowed turf during the Indian Army's tour of New Zealand in the 1920s. Over the years, the stadium has witnessed many a spectacle, including two Rugby World Cup triumphs for the All Blacks, Yvette Williams's long jump gold in the 1950 Empire Games and several hundreds and five-wicket hauls.

It is here that India will meet Zimbabwe in their sixth and final Group 'B' assignment, effectively a dead rubber, on Saturday.

The contrast couldn't have been starker. On one side, you have a team hailing from the epicenter of the cricketing world. Having won each of their five games in convincing fashion, India occupy pride of place on the points table. Assured of a quarterfinal berth more than two weeks ago, MS Dhoni & Co. have sailed through their league engagements with professional ease.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, were ruled out of a place in the knockouts after their heartbreaking loss to Ireland a few days ago. With four defeats and a win (against the United Arab Emirates) to show for their efforts, the Africans go into this contest hoping that the sense of occasion spurs them on.

'Occasion' because the match will be the last of skipper Brendan Taylor's in Zimbabwe colours. One of the best players to have represented the country, Taylor has accepted a three-year deal with Nottinghamshire as a Kolpak player. And that means the 29-year-old, who has featured in 23 Tests and 166 ODIs, could even qualify for England.

The contrasts don't end there. If the Men in Blue represent the country's shift from a proud socialist and non-aligned democracy to a burgeoning capitalist economy with strategic partners like the US, then the Zimbabweans occupy the other end of the spectrum. Ruled by a dictator who has presided over declines in economic output and life expectancy over his 33-year reign, the Chibhabhas, Masakadzas, Panyangaras and Chataras don't receive fat paycheques. It's unfortunate that a country so rich in natural resources was known — not too long ago — for its billion dollar notes and hyper-inflation. As of now, eight currencies, including the Indian rupee, are legal tender.

Player disputes are commonplace. According to reports, the top players receive US$1,500 per month, with the less experienced ones allotted just US$300. So harsh are the tax laws in Zimbabwe that the players take home barely half of those amounts. That apart, they have to pay 40 per cent of their medical aid costs out of their own pockets. No wonder Taylor went looking for greener pastures.

But amid the encircling gloom, Zimbabwe have given a good account of themselves in the tournament. They reduced South Africa to 83/4 before letting David Miller and JP Duminy run away with it. Chasing 340, they made 277. In the next match, they were set a 286-run target by the UAE. Thanks to an unbeaten 76 from Sean Williams and string of 40s and 30s, Zimbabwe collected their first two points with a four-wicket win. And even though Chris Gayle buried them in an avalanche of runs, they replied with 289. It's the tough losses against Pakistan (20 runs) and Ireland (5 runs) that hurt them badly. To quote Taylor, his side has have played well 80 per cent of the time, but failed to keep it up in the remaining 20 per cent.

Zimbabwe should not expect any favours from India. Intensity is the need of the hour and the defending champions will only view their poorer colleagues as target practice before the knockout stage. India haven't scored more than 307 in this World Cup. That's because they have chased modest totals on three occasions. Given the absurdly short straight boundaries at Eden Park, Dhoni will hope to win the toss and allow his hitmen to take first strike on a pancake of a pitch. Going by the scare Bangladesh — their quarterfinal opponents — gave New Zealand, the only thing India have to guard against is complacency.

STAT UP
India have won 44 of the 56 ODI games against Zimbabwe. One of those 10 defeats have come in the World Cup -- a three-run loss at Grace Road, Leicester in 1999

Departing Taylor confident of Zim's bright future
Brendan Taylor hopes he won't be missed by Zimbabwe once he leaves international cricket to start a new career with English county Nottinghamshire. Taylor believes Zimbabwe have enough talent at the higher level to ensure a seamless transition from his era. "I think there's enough depth there at the moment. We've certainly got some experienced players, we've got some young and talented players coming through," said Taylor. "I'm not too worried about maybe leaving a hole there. I certainly don't think that's the case. I think the players are definitely good enough to fill that number four spot in Test cricket and one-dayers. I'm confident that there's a bright future right around the corner for Zimbabwe cricket," he added.