Indian cricketers leave for Zimbabwe tour – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A second-string Indian team, led by Shubman Gill and set to face Zimbabwe in five T20Is from July 6, left for the African country on Tuesday.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared photos on its official X handle of several Indian cricketers and coach VVS Laxman leaving for Zimbabwe.


As many as four openers are part of the India squad for the Zimbabwe tour — Yashavsi Jaiswal, who was a part of the T20 World Cup winning unit, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma.

In all likelihood, Gill and Jaiswal will open the batting in the first T20I in Harare on Saturday.

Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, the series in Zimbabwe will provide a peek into India’s T20 future.

All the T20 World Cup standbys – Gill, pacers Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and finisher Rinku Singh along with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal – are a part of the Zimbabwe tour.

The series will be held entirely in Harare.

Squads:
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande and Shivam Dube

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Akram Faraz, Bennett Brian, Campbell Johnathan, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Innocent, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masakadza Wellington, Mavuta Brandon, Muzarabani Blessing, Myers Dion, Naqvi Antum, Ngarava Richard, Shumba Milton