Shubman Gill will lead a youthful Indian cricket side that will play five T20I games against Zimbabwe starting on July 6 in Harare. While the group has already left, Gill is coming directly from United States.
This series, which is led by VVS Laxman, Head of National Cricket Academy, comprises a mix of young players who have recently come through IPL with some impressive performances.
According to PTI, Shubman Gill who was originally named as the team’s reserve opener for the T20 World Cup, took some time off and he will join his teammates in Harare. New names include Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma; both have recently earned their first national call-ups following spectacular stints at IPL.
The BCCI has shared pictures of the squad boarding their flight on X social media platform. The list of squad members includes Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag again Ruturaj Gaikwad; Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi make this list too. Washington Sundar, Tushar Deshpande and VVS Laxman are also among them.
However, five key players — Shivam Dube Sanju Samson Yashasvi Jaiswal Rinku Singhand Khaleel Ahmed — are stuck in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl. These players will join the team in Zimbabwe once they are able to fly out after being part of the winning team or travelling reserves in the last T20 World Cup.
Recent retirements from Rohit Sharma,Virat Kohliand Ravindra Jadejaas far as their participation in any future T20 format is put into consideration have presented opportunities for younger guys.
Crucially therefore,this Zimbabwean fixture would help these youngsters cement their places for any forthcoming international engagements into the senior national side with a win over that country’s team Zim.
India’s squad for T20I series with Zimbabwe
Shubman 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.
