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Paul Munyuki Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE coach Dav Whatmore feels his charges should work on their psychological strength if they are to return to the winning culture that his side once had in cricket.

Zimbabwe on Tuesday suffered a 3-0 ODI series whitewash at the hands of India at Harare Sports Club and this was also their worst performance in the series, painting a gloomy picture on the side’s performance but Whatmore believes his side has the potential to do well in the future.

Whatmore was appointed as the Chevrons coach at the end of last year and Zimbabwe have only won one competitive ODI since the World Cup that was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in February.

Of the 12 ODI games they have played since the World Cup, Zimbabwe have only managed to beat the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup Pool B game they won by four wickets in February and among their defeats, the Chevrons also suffered a disappointing five-run loss to Ireland at the same competition.

From the World Cup, Zimbabwe went on to tour Pakistan two months ago where they lost two of their three ODIs and the other was a no result match before India toured Zimbabwe and clinched the ODI series 3-0 on Tuesday.

But it seemed Zimbabwe’s performance in the series against India got worse with each passing game.

In the first ODI on Friday, Zimbabwe lost by four runs, lost again by 62 runs in the second on Sunday and were defeated by 83 runs in the final match on Tuesday.

“That was a hugely disappointing effort in that first game. We honestly thought we should’ve won that. When you get so close, and you don’t (win), I think psychologically it becomes a little bit greater (heavier to win) when you play the next one.

“We’ve got the potential, as you can see, we just need to transform our ability into performance, and that comes from here (the head),” Whatmore told the media at a post match press conference on Tuesday.

Chamunorwa Chibhabha top scored with a half century (82) on Tuesday and registered back-to-back half centuries as the hosts struggled with both the ball and bat.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura knows his side did not take their chances when they put India on to bat having won the toss for the third time in a row and the visitors were 82/4 but went all the way to 226, losing just one more wicket.

His decision to field first seemed to be the right thing on Tuesday as the India top order struggled against the Zimbabwe attack with captain and opener Ajinkya Rahane (15), Murali Vijay (13) Robin Uthappa (31) and Manoj Tiwary (10) all going back to the pavilion without making much impact.

With four wickets down before they reached a 100, Zimbabwe allowed Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav to settle and it was India’s 144-run fifth wicket partnership that became the cornerstone on which the tourists built their innings.

And Chigumbura believes the Zimbabwe top order also let the team down with Chibhabha being the only one who made a meaningful contribution and Regis Chakabva, with 27, being the second highest contributor.

Zimbabwe have had trouble with death bowling, in the first game they conceded 90 runs in the last 10 overs and on Tuesday India managed 46 runs off the last three overs but Chigumbura feels there is room for improvement.

“Like what the coach said, I believe that we need to have more games and the more games we play the better we get, and in the case of death bowling, I surely believe there’s room for improvement.

“I feel that (Hamilton) Masakadza bowled well and that was the reason he bowled 10 overs on the trot, he got a wicket and that was good enough for us.

“It was unfortunate I dropped a chance (Jadhav), that was crucial but it’s part of the game,” said Chigumbura.

The Zimbabwe captain was unfortunate to drop Jadhav when he was still on 41 at the end of the 41st over and for that he punished Zimbabwe to his memorable century, his first an unbeaten 105 that came off 87 deliveries with 12 fours and a six.

India captain Ajinkya Rahane was pleased with his side’s performance given that in all three ODIs, India had a player with a century to his name and Ambati Rayudu was also named as the Man-of-the-Series.

“The partnership between Manish and Jadhav was crucial for us. I’m very happy for the boys. They were hungry and up for the series. Rayudu got his hundred in the first game, Vijay in the second and Kedar here. The bowlers chipped in as well. Rayudu will be okay and will be back in action. He’s been doing well for us and is our crucial member of the team,” said Rahane.

The two sides will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at the same venue when they take to the T20 format.