It is time for the next international assignments for Team India. After winning the all-important ICC T20 World Cup 2024, they will now travel to Zimbabwe T20Is. This is a five-match T20I series which will start on July 6 (Saturday). This is a complete new side, which will be led by Shubman Gill. There are only three players who were part of the T20 World Cup 2024 winning side.
Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube are those three players. However, because these three will be travelling first to India with the winning squad and then to Zimbabwe for the T20I series, As a result, the Indian selection committee has announced the replacements for the trio. The three names announced have two debutant for Zimbabwe T20Is.
BCCI adds Harshit Rana, Sai Sudharsan and Jitesh Sharma for the first two games of the Zimbabwe T20Is
The three names which have been included are Harshit Rana, Sai Sudharsan, and Jitesh Sharma. Harshit will be the fast bowler, replacing Arshdeep. The right-arm pacer recently had a brilliant IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the title. Harshit bowled well throughout the tournament. Furthermore, India have replaced Jaiswal with another left-hander opener, Sudharsan.
Sai Sudharsan opened for Gujarat Titans. He scored 527 runs at an average and strike rate of 47.90 and 141.28, respectively. Adding to that, India looked at Samson as the first-choice keeper, along with Dhurv Jurel. But with Samson not available, India have picked up Jitesh Sharma, who has been part of the team for the last 12 months or so.
Jitesh had an average IPL 2024 with the bat, but because he has experience playing at the international level, India have picked him to replace Samson in the first two games. Arshdeep, Samson, and Dube will join the team in the third T20I, which will be played on July 10.
All five matches will be played at Harare Sports Club, Harare. It is a great opportunity for all these youngsters. India will be looking to find the ideal replacements for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have retried from T20Is. The next T20 World Cup is all set to take place in India in 2026, and some of these players will be part of that event.
Also Read: 3 Opening Combinations India can try in Zimbabwe T20Is