Shubman Gill, leading a young Indian team in the absence of senior players, has confirmed the opening pair for the first T20I against Zimbabwe. The series will be marking the start of a new era for Indian cricket, a commencement of their T20 World Cup 2026 preparation cycle.
Gill himself and the in-form Abhishek Sharma will take on the responsibility at the top of the order in the series opener at Harare Sports Club on Saturday (July 6).
Shubman Gill addressed media before IND vs ZIM T20I
“Abhishek Sharma will open with me and Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at No. 3,” Gill, who was part of the T20 World Cup reserves, told reporters on the eve of the first T20I against Zimbabwe. Gaikwad, moving to number three shouldn’t come as a surprise as the Chennai Super Kings’ skipper was also seen moving to that position in this year’s IPL as well.
Abhishek, a standout performer in the IPL with 484 runs at a blistering strike rate of 204.22, gets his maiden T20I cap. The left-hander, known for his power-hitting in the powerplay, could also provide handy left-arm spin in Harare’s slow conditions. It will be his much-deserving debut, and the Punjab-born lad is expected to attract all the eyes on him with his aggressive intent.
This series against Zimbabwe sees India resting most of their World Cup winners, with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja already biding adieu to the format.
Only five members – Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Yashavi Jaiswal, Khaleel Ahmed, and Sanju Samson – were named in the squad. However, Dube, Jaiswal, and Samson, who were part of the main World Cup squad, will miss the first two T20Is due to their extended victory celebrations. Jitesh Sharma, Sai Sudharshan, and Harshit Rana have been named as replacements for these matches.
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