3 Indian cricketers who might make their T20I debut in first T20I against Zimbabwe

India will play five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe from July 6 in Harare.

After winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, India’s next assignment will be a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe will be played from July 6 to 14. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a young 15-man squad for the upcoming series, with some senior cricketers being given rest.

The BCCI selection committee named Shubman Gill as captain of the Indian cricket team. Sadly, star young all-rounder Nitish Reddy, who earned his maiden T20I call-up for the upcoming series, was ruled out due to an injury. The BCCI selectors named T20 World Cup 2024-winning player Shivam Dube as Nitish’s replacement.

However, Shivam Dube will also miss the first two T20Is along with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who were part of India’s T20 World Cup winning side last week. They were stuck in Barbados following the win in the final and had to be replaced for first two matches of the series with Harshit Rana, Jitesh Sharma and B Sai Sudharsan.

With so many fresh faces in the Indian squad, we might see seniors handing out caps to some players, who will represent India for the very first time in international cricket. On that note, let’s take a look at three players, who might make their debut in the first T20I.

Let’s take a look at three Indian talents who might make their debut in the first T20I against Zimbabwe.

1. Abhishek Sharma

After having a dream run with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, young opener Abhishek Sharma earned his maiden T20I call-up to the national side for the five-match T20I series.

In 16 matches, Abhishek smashed 484 runs at an explosive strike rate of 204.22. The left-handed batter also smashed three fifties in the IPL 2024. With the ball, the all-rounder bagged two wickets.

With Yashasvi Jaiswal missing the first T20I match against Zimbabwe on July 6, Abhishek might get a chance to make his T20I debut and open for India alongside his childhood friend and now the captain, Shubman Gill.

2. Riyan Parag

Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) middle-order batter Riyan Parag knocked the doors of BCCI selectors after having a stunning IPL 2024 season with the bat. Following his breakout season, he earned his maiden T20I call-up for the T20I series in Zimbabwe.

Riyan played 15 matches in the IPL 2024, where he smashed 573 runs with an outstanding average of 52.09. Parag also hammered four half-centuries throughout the 2024 edition and helped Rajatshan qualify for the playoffs.

With senior cricketers like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant missing the whole Zimbabwe series, Parag’s chances of making his T20I debut will be very high on July 6.

3. Dhruv Jurel

Following impressive test debut series against England earlier this year, Dhruv Jurel earned his maiden T20I call-up for the Zimbabwe tour. He was named as wicket-keeper of the side along with his captain of IPL side, Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson. However, Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe as he got stuck in Barbados along with T20 World Cup-winning team.

With Samson not being available and Jitesh Sharma being named as his replacement, we might see Dhruv Jurel get a go in the first T20I. Jitesh had his chances for India and couldn’t do much and failed to deliver in the IPL 2024 as well. With India bringing fresh faces to build a young side for T20 World Cup 2026 at home, you shouldn’t be surprised to see if Jurel gets handed his maiden T20I cap on July 6.

India’s tour of Zimbabwe 2024: Squads of both teams

Indian cricket team: Shubman Gill (Captain), 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.

For first two T20Is: Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana instead of Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube.

Zimbabwe cricket team: Sikandar Raza (captain), Akram Faraz, Bennett Brian, Campbell Johnathan, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Innocent, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masakadza Wellington, Mavuta Brandon, Muzarabani Blessing, Myers Dion, Naqvi Antum, Ngarava Richard, Shumba Milton.

India’s tour of Zimbabwe 2024: Full schedule

July 6 – 1st T20I, Harare Sports Club, 1:00 PM (Local) (4:30 PM IST)

July 7 – 2nd T20I, Harare Sports Club, 1:00 PM (Local) (4:30 PM IST)

July 10 – 3rd T20I, Harare Sports Club, 1:00 PM (Local) (4:30 PM IST)

July 13 – 4th T20I, Harare Sports Club, 1:00 PM (Local) (4:30 PM IST)

July 14 – 5th T20I, Harare Sports Club, 1:00 PM (Local) (4:30 PM IST)

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