SWOT Analysis Of India Squad For Zimbabwe T20I Series

A dominant and unbeaten Team, India secured their second T20 World Cup title in Barbados with a magnificent all-round performance throughout the tournament. The Kensington Oval in Barbados was filled with emotions as India staged a remarkable comeback to defeat South Africa in a thrilling final. There was joy, tears, and tension as India maintained their composure and beat South Africa by seven runs in a nail-biting match. After clinching the T20 World Cup 2024, a young Indian team will play from July 6 to July 14, 2024. India's tour of Zimbabwe will comprise a five-match T20 International series. Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the only two members from India's 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 who are part of the Zimbabwe tour. In this blog, we look at the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the India squad for the Zimbabwe T20I Series.

SWOT Analysis of the India squad for the Zimbabwe T20I Series

1. Strengths

India has selected Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag for their five-match T20I tour of Zimbabwe. Shubman Gill has been appointed captain of a young Indian squad that includes Tushar Deshpande and Dhruv Jurel. Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Abhishek Sharma received his first call-up after an impressive IPL 2024 season. He ended up as the highest six-hitter in the tournament, smashing 42 sixes in 16 games. Riyan Parag had a breakthrough season with the Rajasthan Royals, being the third-highest in the list of top run-getters with 573 runs. He has earned his spot on the squad for the first time. Both batters are also handy spin options, which can be helpful in such conditions.

2. Weaknesses

The run-scoring ability of Dhruv Jurel, who had an impressive start to his Test career with a few high-pressure knocks against England, continues to rise. However, Jurel had an underwhelming IPL 2024 season, but his prowess as a finisher seems to have strengthened his case. Tushar Deshpande is the other uncapped player on the list. The Mumbai pacer has impressed with his domestic performances and consistent back-to-back seasons with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. If there is ever a weak link in this young India squad for the exciting India vs Zimbabwe T20 International series, then it is the form of Dhruv Jurel and Tushar Deshpande.

3. Opportunities

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20I format soon after India's victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 leaves a massive opportunity at the top. After winning the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from the T20I format after years of service to the Indian team. Rohit ends his T20I career as the highest run-scorer with 4231 runs, followed by Kohli with 4188 runs. We look at the possible batters who can come into the top order to replace this iconic duo.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal - Matches 17, Runs 502, Average 33.46, Strike-rate 161.93, Highest Score 100

The left-handed opening batter was a backup to Rohit and Kohli in India's T20 World Cup-winning team. In less than a year since his international debut, Jaiswal has firmly established himself as a reliable opener. He would also ensure a left-right combination at the top.

• Shubman Gill - Matches 14, Runs 335, Average 25.76, Strike-rate 147.57, Highest Score 126*

The right-handed batter has been a regular in the Indian white-ball team since 2022 and was Rohit's opening partner in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Though the batter was not selected for India's squad in the T20 World Cup 2024, he will lead the team on their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. In the five T20Is against the Zimbabwe national cricket team, he can showcase his skills as the skipper and also with the bat to grab the vacant top-order spot.

• Ruturaj Gaikwad - Matches 19, Runs 500, Average 35.71, Strike-rate 140.05, Highest Score 123*

Ruturaj Gaikwad may not be as well-known as other Indian international and IPL openers, but the right-handed batter has been part of the squad for the last few years. A slow starter, Gaikwad can pick up his scoring rate quickly once he settles and gets his eye in. Gaikwad has an opportunity to seal a regular spot during India vs Zimbabwe T20.

4. Threats

Shivam Dube has been named as a replacement for the injured Nitish Reddy in India's squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Dube played a massive role in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, taking on the South African bowlers right from the word go. Sanju Samson is expected to be the first-choice wicket-keeper batter. Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar are the other pacers, while Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi are the specialist spinners in the India squad.

India squad for 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.