India is not yet over its memorable World Cup victory but their second-string team will take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Saturday. With veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja deciding to hang their boots from the shortest format after World Cup glory, a new dawn will rise in Indian cricket. This leaves three potential spots in the playing XI and the young players will want to take their chances.
Players like Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana and Mukesh Kumar will be determined to grab their opportunity with both hands.
Every one of them had impressed in the IPL and it must have been a dream come true to earn a place in the Indian squad. This new generation of players is known to play fearless cricket and the platform has been laid down by the Rohit Sharma-led team.
India has a huge pool of talented players and these players will not want to waste this crucial opportunity. Shubman Gill will also want to lead from the front and deliver the goods for the team.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe could not qualify for the recently concluded T20 World Cup and they will be determined to prove their mettle against India.
Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba
India’s squad for 1st and 2nd T20Is vs Zimbabwe
Shubman Gill (capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, 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.
