We are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can: Masakadza

Zimbabwe spinner Wellington Masakadza says his side are looking to make the best of home conditions as they look to beat India in the five-match series. Zimbabwe pipped a young Indian side by 13 runs in the first T20 International (T20I) in Harare and will hope to go 2-0 up when the two teams meet on July 7 (Sunday).

India's loss in the first T20I was their first loss this year. They recently won the T20 World Cup 2024, albeit with a completely different squad. The Shubman Gill-led will hope to pull one back after admitting that rustiness played a huge part in their defeat in the first game.

"We are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can against this Indian side. It's a second-string Indian side, but there are a lot of good players in there. So, we are looking forward to this series," Masakadza said in an interview with PTI Videos facilitated by broadcasters Sony Sports Network.

"We've had a few plans in place. We needed them to work, and obviously, we are trying to use our own conditions as much as we can against this Indian side."

Speaking of the conditions, Masakadza said that Harare offers something for both spinners and pacers, as we witnessed in the first T20I.

"It's winter here, and at times, it's a bit difficult for batters as the pitch is slowish, with a bit of turn. The seam is always a very big challenge in Harare during winter. So, I think the ball will move a bit, and it will spin also," Masakadza, who finished with 1/15 in the first match of the series, said.

Zimbabwe have gone into the series with a new coaching staff at the back of a disappointing year or so that saw them miss out on an opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup 2024. The left-arm spinner says that a series will over India will mean a lot to the Cheverons. "This series will mean a lot to us. If we manage to win the series, it will be a very big thing in our future," the 30-year-old said.

"We're starting a new chapter, we have had our ups and downs in the past. We've just had a new coaching staff. So I just think from now on, this is a big thing for us and we'll be looking forward to making a few plans to get ourselves across the line."

Skipper Sikandar Raza played for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, and Masakadza hopes to emulate the senior all-rounder.

"It's always a good thing to go out there and play in those leagues. I will look to take some wickets in this series. That can be good for me to get a gig," he said.

A veteran of 51 T20Is, Masakadza has picked up 40 wickets for his country at an economy rate of 7.21.

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