The BCCI has announced the squad for the India tour of Zimbabwe. As expected, Shubman Gill has been named the skipper of the young side, which will see four young stars make their India debut. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Tushar Deshpande have been rewarded for their incredible displays in the IPL 2024 season and have earned a maiden India call-up.
BCCI picks IPL 2024 stars for Zimbabwe tour
Of all the players in the squad, only four had a forgettable IPL season. Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravi Bishnoi weren’t up to the mark given the talent they possess and the reputation they have. Rinku has even made India’s reserve list for the T20 World Cup, while Bishnoi unluckily missed out.
Jurel seemed to have crumbled under pressure, given how the wicketkeeper spot seemed to be up for grabs. While Washington Sundar only played two matches after returning from a long-term injury. All the other players were superb in IPL, and six of them even made the main squad or reserves list for the T20 World Cup.
Youth over experience
In what is a young squad, Mukesh Kumar is the oldest member (30 years) of the squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, and skipper Shubman Gill are going to be the most experienced players, and Dhruv Jurel, who’d made his India Test debut earlier in the year, is on course to make his T20I debut as well.
Earlier, reports had suggested that one of Suryakumar Yadav or Hardik Pandya would be asked to lead the side, but following their request to have some off time, having played a rigorous IPL season and then straightaway traveling for the T20 World Cup, the reigns of the team have been handed in the hands of Shubman Gill.
India’s squad for Zimbabwe
Ꮪhubman Gill (c), 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.
IND vs ZIM Schedule
| No. | Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | July 6 | Zimbabwe vs India | Harare Sports Club | 4:30 PM |
| 2nd T20I | July 7 | Zimbabwe vs India | Harare Sports Club | 4:30 PM |
| 3rd T20I | July 10 | Zimbabwe vs India | Harare Sports Club | 4:30 PM |
| 4th T20I | July 13 | Zimbabwe vs India | Harare Sports Club | 4:30 PM |
| 5th T20I | July 14 | Zimbabwe vs India | Harare Sports Club | 4:30 PM |
