Team India will play their first T20I series after their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, when they face off against Zimbabwe in the five-match T20I series starting Saturday, July 6.
Shubman Gill has been appointed as the captain to the lead the team in this series, as BCCI looks into the future, following international retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, who were initially included in the squad, were rested by the BCCI, to recover from travel and celebrations post their World Cup win in Barbados. Additionally, their arrival was delayed due to Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean.
Therefore, Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana and Jitesh Sharma, were called in as their replacements for the first two T20Is of the series.
In this article, The Sporting News looks at the potential players who can make their debut in this T20I series in Zimbabwe.
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Which players can make their T20I debut for India in the Zimbabwe series?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced the Shubman Gill-led T20I squad for the 5-match T20I series tour of Zimbabwe last month.
Players who were part of the World Cup, namely, Jaiswal, Dube and Samson were then announced to be rested for the first two T20Is. They will return to the squad from the 3rd T20I onwards.
Here is a list of Indian players who can make their T20I debut in this series against Zimbabwe:
| Player |
|---|
| Abhishek Sharma |
| Riyan Parag |
| Dhruv Jurel |
| Harshit Rana |
| Sai Sudharsan |
| Tushar Deshpande |
Dhruv Jurel who had made his international debut for Team India in Tests, is however, yet to play his first T20I for the country.
Abishek Sharma is certain to make his India debut in the first T20I after captain Shubman Gill confirmed the top order for the series opener against Zimbabwe.
Complete Indian squad for the Zimbabwe series
For the first two T20Is:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Harshit Rana
For the rest of the T20I series
Ꮪhubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande.
India tour of Zimbabwe schedule, date and timings
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 6 | 1st T20I | 4:30 PM | Harare Sports Club |
| July 7 | 2nd T20I | 4:30 PM | Harare Sports Club |
| July 10 | 3rd T20I | 4:30 PM | Harare Sports Club |
| July 13 | 4th T20I | 4:30 PM | Harare Sports Club |
| July 14 | 5th T20I | 4:30 PM | Harare Sports Club |
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