The T20 World Cup 2024 is not over yet but even if India Cricket Team end up winning it, the focus will turn to IND vs ZIM T20 series for the next generation of stars. With a new head coach coming in, India vs Zimbabwe T20 series could be his first assignment. It will also mark the beginning of a new era with young performers from IPL 2024 will get a look in. The players from India’s 15-member T20 WC squad including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will rest.
The IND vs ZIM series starts on July 6 with the squad announcement likely next week. However, the announcement could be delayed as the incoming coach could have a say in the selection.
“The squad is supposed to be announced by next week. But I’m not sure when as Ajit (Agarkar) could discuss a few names with the new coach. If the new coach selection is delayed, they will announce the squad any time next week,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
No Rohit-Kohli in IND vs ZIM
There will be no Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in IND vs ZIM T20 series. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya will also take a break. Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant too are likely to rest after the T20 World Cup.
All the players have had a long IPL and T20 World Cup. They all need workload management. Whether Rishabh will play in Zimbabwe will depend on his condition. Even though he was out for so long, he has been playing constant cricket since IPL,” the BCCI official said.
Who will lead India?
With Hardik, SKY, and Rishabh unlikely to be in the IND vs ZIM T20 series, India will have to select a temporary captain for the series. It’s likely that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who led India to a gold medal in the Asian Games, could return as the captain.
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IPL performers to get a chance
Whether it’s Gautam Gambhir or someone else who joins in as the new head coach, India squad will certainly comprise IPL performers. Rinku Singh is certain to make it after failing to make it to the 15-member T20 World Cup squad. Then, the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Yash Dayal apart from new pace sensation Mayank Yadav will get a go.
Sanju Samson could also extend his Team India stay and feature in the India vs Zimbabwe series. Despite making it to the T20 World Cup squad, he has only warmed the bench so far. The other two World Cup reserves Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan will also travel to Zimbabwe.
However, Shreyas Iyer who is in the National Cricket Academy camp in Bengaluru at present is unlikely for the IND vs ZIM T20 series. Instead, he will travel to Sri Lanka for the ODI series. Despite leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, he is not in T20 plans at present.
Predicted India squad for Zimbabwe series
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Rinku Singh
Sanju Samson (WK)
Abhishek Sharma
Nitish Reddy
Harshit Rana
Yash Dayal
Khaleel Ahmed
Rinku Singh
Avesh Khan
Mayank Yadav
Yuzvendra Chahal
Ravi Bishnoi
Riyan Parag
Rajat Patidar
Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
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