After the brouhaha and the excitement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which plunged the Indians into a state of overjoy, the action now shifts to a 5-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe.
The T20I World Champions have named a young and dynamic squad, which will be led by Shubman Gill. Notably, T20I veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have called it quits from this format and now the onus is on the young guns to take the mantle forward.
A young team like this had gone to the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, and India had bagged the elusive gold medal, beating Afghanistan in the finals.
The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Tushar Deshpande and Riyan Parag have earned their maiden India call-ups. All cricket lovers in India would be keen on tracking their progress in this series.
In this article, we take a look at the predicted playing XI of the Indian cricket team:
Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill
The opening combination of India for the upcoming series is likely going to be a dynamic left-right combination. Both these youngsters have been proven performers in the Indian Premier Leagiue (IPL) and have performed for the national side as well.
Jaiswal was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad of India, even though he didn’t get a single game to play.
Top-Order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube
India is likely to play two left-handed batters in the form of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh in the top-order. Shivam Dube had a good sojourn in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and his vital knock of 27 runs in 16 balls in the finals proved to be quite effective for India.
After missing out on the T20 World Cup bus, both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh would be gearing up to perform in this 5-match T20I series versus Zimbabwe.
Middle-Order: Sanju Samson and Washington Sundar
We can expect Sanju Samson to be the wicket-keeper of the side. He was part of the World Cup-winning side of India but failed to find a place in the playing XI of India.
Washington Sundar bowls quality off-spin and can bat effortlessly as well and will be a key cog in the wheels of the Indian cricket team.
Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar
Ravi Bishnoi will be the leg-spinner of the Indian cricket team and the pace battery will have the likes of Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed. Ahmed brings the unique left-arm into the picture and will have a crucial role in the team.
India’s Probable Playing XI vs Zimbabwe
Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed
India Squad: 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.
Also read: IND vs ZIM T20I 2024: Schedule, Squad, Predicted Playing XI, Live Streaming
