Named Captain
Shubman Gill could be appointed captain for India’s five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, according to CricketNext. Ajit Agarkar-led men’s senior selection committee is set to select their team on Sunday, according to CricketNext.
He first made his first-class debut late 2017 and quickly established himself as one of Kolkata Knight Riders’ premier openers in 2020 and 2021, leading the scoring across formats for them. A Punjab native, this versatile right-hander can serve as an effective representative of blue across formats.Named Captain
Named Captain | Suryakumar Yadav
India will face Zimbabwe in a five-match series one week after winning the T20 World Cup final, under Gautam Gambhir as head coach and fielding an entirely different side for this tour than what we saw against Australia and South Africa. According to sources at TOI, Gambhir intends on fielding a team built specifically around short format cricket, likely featuring younger players rather than established stars like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli; which could result in them taking time off this series.Named Captain
As the Zimbabwe tour will provide young cricketers an invaluable chance to showcase their abilities, the selectors are expected to give priority to those who had an impressive IPL campaign, such as Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Yash Dayal and Avesh Khan – among many others – who may make the squad.Named Captain
Khaleel Ahmed will bolster the pace department during the Zimbabwe series as a travelling reserve, while Shubman Gill makes his comeback to national side for this series after missing out on selection to main T20 World Cup squad but traveling as travel reserve with India contingent to USA.Named Captain
Named Captain | Shreyas Iyer
Starting on July 5, the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe will give IPL stars such as Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed an opportunity to impress national selectors – and perhaps earn themselves a ticket on an air flight bound for Zimbabwe.
Left-hander from Delhi Ishan Kishan may well make up the core of New Zealand squad due to an outstanding track record against them and his 80 run innings against New Zealand at Eden Park in 2018.
Gautam Gambhir’s anticipated appointment as India head coach may open doors for Iyer, who led his franchise KKR to their maiden IPL championship in 2024. Iyer will look to build on his excellent form in shorter formats like T20 cricket; limited-overs assignments in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka could provide an ideal platform to do just that.
Senior players, like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as well as fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will concentrate on longer format cricket with nine WTC Tests from September through January; home matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand; five away matches including the marquee ICC Champions Trophy tournament; as well as home and away fixtures against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Many youngster will also get an opportunity to shine during this time.Named Captain
Named Captain | Khaleel Ahmed
IND vs ZIM T20 series will give many young players a chance to impress the selectors. Led by Ajit Agarkar, Agarkar’s selection committee may include many youngsters who excelled during IPL 2024 such as Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, Nitish Reddy, Yash Dayal. Yuzvendra Chahal may even get called back due to his consistent performances.
Since Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav may be rested for this match, newcomers could get an opportunity to showcase themselves for India. Rishabh Pant is likely the choice as wicketkeeper while Sanju Samson may also make an impression if his impressive form at Rajasthan Royals continues.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who led India to victory at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, could join Avesh Khan as another name on India’s Zimbabwe squad tour. Khan served as travelling reserve during World Cup 2017, so may join up directly in Zimbabwe
Named Captain | Avesh Khan
India’s squad for its tour of Zimbabwe may include some younger players as selectors consider giving several their first national call-up. This decision will likely come about due to established stars such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah likely prioritising longer formats ahead of World Cup and Champions Trophy tournaments next year.
Shubman Gill, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan appear set to make the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. These openers travelled with the team as reserves in T20 World Cup’s US leg before opting to stay and join up directly with the squad in Zimbabwe rather than return home afterwards.
Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma could also feature prominently. Parag was an exceptional performer in IPL 2024 and should make a compelling argument to make his national debut, particularly since selectors may wish to give younger players an opportunity in short format games.
Leg spinners Yash Dayal and Yuzvendra Chahal could both make the trip. Both young players have impressed selectors with their performances at NCA and could make an appearance. It may be beneficial for team balance if both are included; India will announce its squad for Zimbabwe series on Sunday.