The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee has announced a 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe series, kicking off in early July. Shubman Gill, captaining for the first time, leads a team of promising young talents. India’s tour begins on July 7th with all matches set in Harare.
The squad features several exciting new additions as senior players take a breather. These young cricketers are eager to showcase their skills against Zimbabwe’s ‘Chevrons’. Let’s dive into the profiles of the debutants ready to shine on this international stage.
Players making their India debut vs Zimbabwe
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Batter |
| Riyan Parag | Batter |
| Nitish Reddy | All-Rounder |
| Dhruv Jurel | Wicket-keeper |
| Tushar Deshpande | Pacer |
Abhishek Sharma Abhishek Sharma, after a stellar season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, earns his first India call-up. Known for his explosive batting, Sharma scored 484 runs in 16 IPL matches at a striking rate of 204. With India exploring various opening options in T20Is, Sharma’s inclusion is significant. It will be fascinating to see him in action under the leadership of his childhood friend, Shubman Gill.
Riyan Parag Riyan Parag has also earned his spot. The Assam-born batter is renowned for his powerful middle-order hitting. His recent IPL performance showed maturity and an ability to handle high-pressure situations, making him a valuable asset for India. Expect to see Parag batting in the top order, where his anchoring skills and aggressive play can be game-changers.
Dhruv Jurel Dhruv Jurel, who played a crucial role in India’s Test series win against England, is set to don the blue jersey for the first time in T20Is. With 439 runs at a strike rate of 137.61 in T20s, Jurel is poised to make an impact. His ability to stabilize the innings at positions 3 or 4 could prove vital for India.
Nitish Reddy Nitish Reddy, another Sunrisers Hyderabad star, steps into the all-rounder role for India. Historically, India has struggled to find consistent all-rounders beyond Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. Reddy’s dual capability as a batsman and medium-fast bowler could be a crucial addition. In IPL, he scored 153 runs and took 3 wickets, highlighting his potential.
Tushar Deshpande Tushar Deshpande, the reliable fast bowler for CSK, finally gets his call-up. Deshpande has taken 42 wickets in 36 matches, demonstrating his prowess. With several established Indian bowlers resting, Deshpande has a prime opportunity to prove his mettle and address any criticisms of his economy rate.
India’s squad for T20Is against Zimbabwe Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande.
