Cricket: Indian team details for T20 series against Zimbabwe

Cricket: India announced their squad for the 5-match T20I series against Zimbabwe scheduled between July 6 and 14, with Shubman Gill named as the new team captain. The BCCI selection committee, led by former pacer Ajit Agarkar, has picked a squad that has a good mix of experienced players as well as new talent. As expected, India rested senior players, including the majority of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Four players who have been consistent performers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been included in the squad for the first time from India – Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Tushar Deshpande and Nitesh Kumar Reddy while wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has been selected. Only Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been selected in the 15-member squad that will play in the T20 World Cup to be held in the USA and West Indies. Captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have all been rested. Yuzvendra Chahal, who didn’t get a game for India until the final Super 8 game, has been overlooked. It remains to be seen whether the leg-spinner will rejoin the T20I squad, given that he failed to get an opportunity in the T20 World Cup.

However, all four players who were part of the reserves who travelled for the T20 World Cup have been included in the squad – Gill, Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed. Shubman Gill has been handed the captaincy role ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who led India at the Asian Games last year. Sanju Samson, who has consistently led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, was another candidate. First call-up for IPL stars Nitish Kumar Reddy is being touted as a potential fast-bowling all-rounder for India. The Sunrisers star scored 303 runs and took three wickets in 13 matches in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nitish’s composure in the middle order in tough conditions came to the fore when he was able to consistently bowl at speeds in excess of 130 kph. Abhishek Sharma

Was in explosive form for Sunrisers and was arguably the most dangerous opener in IPL 2024. The left-handed batsman scored 484 runs at a strike rate of 204. Abhishek is also in great form in domestic T20 cricket and his ability to bowl left-arm spin makes him a valuable investment. Riyan Parag was the breakout star for Rajasthan as the Assam batsman repaid the faith shown in him by the franchise. The Rajasthan batsman scored 573 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of close to 150. Riyan showed maturity in the middle order and bailed India out of trouble many times.

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