Zim to up the aggression

The hosts struggled to post a competitive total after being put in to bat in difficult conditions in a six-wicket defeat on Wednesday.

And captain Brendan Taylor admitted they may need to shed some circumspection if they are to trouble Virat Kohli's talented team.

Taylor is also hoping that he can level the playing field by winning the toss, which would allow his seamers to confirm the importance of bowling first on a wicket that generally becomes easier to bat on throughout the day.

"I think the toss is important," he said.

"That's not to take anything away from the way the Indians outplayed us - I think they showed why they are one of the top teams in the world.

"Unfortunately it could boil down to the toss, but we still need to have that positive approach with our batting because that can only lead to being competitive and winning against better sides, so that's what we've discussed."

While India have no reason to tinker with their line-up, Zimbabwe are likely to field a fourth seamer at the expense of leg-spinner Tinotenda Mutombodzi.

Zimbabwe's bowlers will need to figure out a way of dismissing Kohli cheaply, after the Indian captain notched up his 15th one-day international century to set up a handsome victory.

"When the wicket's flat it seems nearly impossible to get him out," said Taylor.

"He's a class player and he's done it against the best teams in the world, but we just need to keep it simple to him and hopefully frustrate him and let him make his own mistakes."

Kohli shared a match-winning 159-run partnership in the first match with Ambati Rayudu, who showed the formidable depth in the Indian batting as he constructed an unbeaten 63 on his international debut.

Rayudu was effectively replacing Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Indian batting line-up after Dhoni was rested for the five-match series against Zimbabwe, but showed few nerves in a steady 84-ball knock.

"More than nervous, I was very emotional," Rayudu said of playing his first game for India after a long wait.

"Virat made it a lot easier for me. I was just looking at the way he was constructing his innings - it's a very good learning experience."