Rahane, who is leading India for the first time, insisted that the team has moved on from the debacle in Bangladesh and is "here to win games" in the short tour comprising three ODIs and a couple of Twenty20 Internationals.
"Bangladesh is in the past now for us. We are thinking about the present series and our plan will be to back our strengths and back our games, rather than looking at Zimbabwe's strengths. Give our best and play to our potential. We are here to win games," said Rahane.
"We all know that Zimbabwe is a good side. They have been playing pretty well recently and we are expecting a good series here. The boys are looking forward to the series and we are not taking Zimbabwe lightly. We are respecting them, and respecting their cricket. We have got to play good cricket.
"They have got a pretty balanced side. They played pretty well in Pakistan, and they have good, experienced batsmen. Good all-rounders and bowlers. And they are getting better day by day. So we respect them, but at the same time we will play our own cricket," he said.
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"It is the first game with the new playing conditions. After the first game we will develop an idea about what sorts of strategies we need to use for the new rules. But it is quite exciting, with new fielding restrictions and free hits off all no-balls. It is very exciting, but we have to wait and watch how these new rules will go forward."
The Mumbai cricketer is also excited about captaincy, a responsibility given to him after he was dropped from the playing eleven in Bangladesh.
"In a positive way, it is a good opportunity for all of us to express ourselves. We are taking Zimbabwe very seriously. This is a good platform to showcase our talent here, do well at the international level. Everywhere we go, we take every opponent very seriously. We want to play our game and back our strengths.