1st T20I, Harare, July 06, 2024, 04:30 PM
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ZIM 51%
Tie %
IND 49%
While one nation celebrates its T20 World Cup victory, the other laments missing out on the 20-team showpiece event. This is the story of India and Zimbabwe, who are set to clash in a five-match T20I series at Harare Sports Club. After failing to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe are in a transition phase and are looking to start afresh under newly appointed head coach Justin Sammons. Led by Sikandar Raza, the squad features a blend of youth and experience. The squad announcement was headlined by the inclusion of Belgium-born right-handed batter Antum Naqvi, who made waves earlier in the year by becoming the first player to score a triple-century in Zimbabwe's domestic arena. Although his participation is pending confirmation of his citizenship status, he is certainly one to watch out for. Joining him in the batting department are Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Zimbabwe's roster includes talented all-rounders like Brian Bennett, Faraz Akram, and Johnathan Campbell, who all retained their places from the last T20I series against Bangladesh. The pace attack features familiar names such as Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe, and Tendai Chatara. Wellington Masakadza and captain Raza will lead the spin attack, supported by Brandon Mavuta. Fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup, India have sent a young brigade to the African nation with Shubman Gill at the helm. With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announcing their T20I retirements, this series marks the start of a new era in the format for the reigning champions. Players who did well for their respective franchises in the 2024 Indian T20 League have been rewarded while Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, part of the World Cup-winning squad also make the cut. However, due to the delay in departing from the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Beryl, the trio will miss the first couple of T20Is. Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been named as their replacements. Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag, two batters who had a stellar run at the Indian T20 League have received their maiden T20I call up as has Dhruv Jurel. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad form the crux of the Indian batting unit with Rinku Singh taking on the finisher role. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar will shoulder the spin-bowling duties with the latter more than capable of contributing with the bat. Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Tushar Deshpande make up the pace battery for the visitors, making for a well-balanced side on paper. It's all set to be an exciting series between two sides with divergent fortunes over the past year. Will India draw first blood, or will Zimbabwe spring a surprise? We shall find out.