India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Playing 11: A new-look T20 side will be in action when Shubman Gill’s India will face Sikandar Raza-led Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Saturday.
In the first glance of India’s T20I future after the retirements of World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, India will field a young squad brimmed with IPL talent as the roadmap to the 2026 T20 World Cup begins in Zimbabwe.
The hosts will hope to make the most of India’s off-season tour to the nation. Raza’s side is hosting a bunch of new faces who will be aiming to put Zimbabwe back on the radar after they missed out on the T20 World Cup in the Americas.
India to have at least three debutants
The Men in Blue in all likelihood will field at least three debutants and that number may spring up to a record-equalling five in the opening match. Skipper Gill confirmed on match eve that he will be opening alongside Abhishek Sharma, who will receive his first international cap. All-rounder Riyan Parag is also slated for his debut and will likely bat at number 4 as Ruturaj Gaikwad slots in at three. In the absence of Sanju Samson, his young Rajasthan Royals teammate Dhruv Jarel is primed to take over wicket-keeping duties during his T20I debut. The likes of Tushar Deshpande and Harshit Rana could also be considered for their first games in national colours in the first two matches.
The spin department will be filled in by all-rounder Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi with Rinku Singh designated the number six spot. Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar and left-armer Khaleel Ahmed are in the running to make up the pace department.
India predicted XI for 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe: Shubman Gill(c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel(w), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar.
Antum Naqvi in the spotlight
As Zimbabwe scramble to fit back a host of missing pieces left behind by the exclusion of seniors Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Ryan Burl, the focus shifts on a younger lot under Raza’s leadership. The team has brought back Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta after the duo completed their four-month suspension for drug use. However, Belgium-born all-rounder Antum Naqvi will be the man in focus after having recorded an impressive start in the domestic circuit, including a First-Class triple hundred. Just five T20s old, Naqvi will be watched closely during the series.
Zimbabwe predicted XI for 1st T20I vs India: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza (c), Johnathan Campbell, Antum Naqvi, Clive Madande (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Faraz Akram, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani
Squads
India Squad: Shubman Gill(c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel(w), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Harshit Rana.
Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza(c), Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Brandon Mavuta, Dion Myers, Faraz Akram, Antum Naqvi
