Zimbabwe skipper Hamilton Masakadza still thinks India are a strong side

Mumbai: Under the leadership of experienced Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Zimbabwe-bound Indian team has number of new faces, however, it is still a strong team, believes Hamilton Masakadza, the captain of the Zimbabwean team.

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Speaking from Harare, where his players are enjoying a short break before being put into training again, he says,

The senior players (barring Dhoni) are rested but I do not think that will take anything away from the series. The Indians have such a wide player base and so many good players that I believe whatever team is being sent to Zimbabwe is really strong and very competitive.”

Masakadza has very recently returned from Bangladesh, where he was playing Dhaka League matches.

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The series against India is always important for us because they are the biggest cricketing nation. It's a fixture on the calendar every player really looks forward to and it brings a lot of excitement to the fans as there are a lot of Indian fans in Zimbabwe as well. The atmosphere at the ground is always good and charged up," he added.

"It is always nice to play against the very best in the world so the senior players will be missed but as I alluded whatever team is being sent is very strong. I did expect new faces in the team specially those who are playing in the IPL," the skipper added.

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The Zimbabwe team is likely to be announced soon and the 33-year-old top order right-handed batsman and medium pacer is likely to be retained as skipper.

India is scheduled to play three ODIs' (June 11, 13, and 15) and three T20s' (June 18, 20 and 22), all day matches at the Harare Sports Club.