Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get another chance to impress in Indian colors after being dropped after just three games during the recently concluded five-match series against England during the first T20I of a three-match series against Zimbabwe. With Sanju Samson axed from the 15-member squad, Vaibhav and Abhishek Sharma are set to open the innings for the Men in Blue in the series opener on Thursday (July 23) at the Harare Sports Club.
Ishan Kishan will look to return to form after a nightmare tour of the United Kingdom across formats, while Shreays Iyer will aim to finally register his first win as Indian captain after an unprecedented start to his tenure by losing six of the first seven games in charge (one washout). Ishan and Shreyas will bat at number three and four.
Another player, who struggled for form during the humiliating defeats in Ireland and England, was vice-captain Tilak Varma, who is set to retain the number five spot alongside Shivam Dube, who is set to bat at number six. Rinku Singh will make a comeback to the team after being benched midway during the 2026 T20 World Cup and being left out of the squad for the UK tour.
While India’s batting unit is largely the same as recent assignments, the bowling attack is a new look one. With no other all-rounders in the team, Harsh Dubey is set to make his T20I debut. Mayank Yadav is set to play for India after nearly two years following a long injury hiatus, while Prince Yadav can continue to impress. This will leave space for one debutant among Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur unless India decide to play a specialist spinner in Ravi Bishnoi, who was not picked in the original squad but came in as an injury replacement.
India Likely Playing XI Against Zimbabwe: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavashi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma/Yash Thakur, Mayank YAdav.
