India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Match Preview

After clinching the T20 World Cup 2024, a much younger India squad, led by skipper Shubman Gill, is all set to take on hosts Zimbabwe national cricket team in the 1st T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, July 6. With the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, youngsters have a massive opportunity to seal their spot in the shortest format. Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tushar Deshpande, Avesh Khan and others who were top-class in the IPL 2024 season will finally get a chance to represent India on the International stage. Meanwhile, the dashing opener Shubman Gill will look to make a statement as the Indian captain and hope to put on a solid show. Here's the match preview of the India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I.

India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Match Preview

The Indian team has arrived in Zimbabwe for the upcoming series. Shubman Gill will captain the young India squad in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The first game is scheduled to take place on July 6. All five T20Is will be played at the iconic Harare Sports Club. Several young players have made it to the team for this tour. No member of the Indian side that won the T20 World Cup 2024 will be on the team for the first three games. Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will join the side later in the series.

Talking about the India squad SWOT Analysis, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi are the specialist spinners in the India squad. Talking about the Indian spin combination for the exciting India vs Zimbabwe T20 International series, there isn't much of a surprise. Despite having Abhishek Sharma in the mix, India will opt for the more experienced duo of Sundar and Bishnoi as they head into the first game at the iconic Harare Sports Club. Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar will be India's frontline pacers, filling in the shoes of Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

On the flip side, the Zimbabwe national cricket team will field a young and dynamic squad against India in the T20I series at the Harare Sports Club. After failing to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, Zimbabwe has picked a young squad for the India vs Zimbabwe T20 International series. Zimbabwe will look to rebuild under the new head coach Justin Sammons. The young Zimbabwe national cricket team has an average age of 27 and 558 T20I appearances. Captain Sikandar Raza, at 38 and with 86 matches, is the team's most experienced player. He is followed by 29-year-old Luke Jongwe, who has played in 63 games.

Harare Sports Club Pitch Report

The exciting India vs Zimbabwe T20 International series will get underway this weekend. The first two matches are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Harare Sports Club, starting at 4:30 p.m. IST. All five matches will be played at this venue. The Harare Sports Club Stadium has hosted 41 T20I matches. The team batting first has won 23 times, while the chasing side has won 18 times. The pitch at the Harare Sports Club Stadium in Zimbabwe offers something for both batters and bowlers.

The hard surface provides bounce for the bowlers, while the ball comes onto the bat nicely for the batters. The surface also offers good support for spinners, who can have a significant impact during the middle overs. In the most recent game played at this venue, Ireland defeated Zimbabwe by 6 wickets to clinch the series 2-1. George Dockrell, unbeaten on 49, and Harry Tector's half-century helped the Irish team cruise to Zimbabwe's target of 141 runs with ease.

Probable India Playing XI for India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I

India's batting lineup appears strong, but the bowling attack seems inexperienced due to a lack of recent international experience. This presents a challenge for the bowlers against Zimbabwe. However, in a sudden change of plans, the BCCI men's Selection Committee has named Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana as replacements for Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe.

IND Playing XI

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed

India squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe: Shubman 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, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana.

Probable Zimbabwe Playing XI for India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I

Zimbabwe would likely give youngsters Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, and Tadiwanashe Marumani more game time. Sikandar Raza-led Zimbabwe still has a lot of work to do, but the hosts want to ensure automatic qualification for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

ZIM Playing XI

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza (C), Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (WK), Innocent Kaia, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe, Faraz Akram, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani

Zimbabwe squad for T20I series against India: Sikandar Raza (C), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande (WK), Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.