ZIM vs IND: Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill to open, Ruturaj set to bat at No. 3

India's captain for the 5-match T20I series against Zimbabwe - Shubman Gill - has announced he will open the batting with exciting young prospect Abhishek Sharma. Sharma, who lit the Indian Premier League's 2024 season while opening for SRH is from Gill's state - Punjab. The left-hander is one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket and was given a maiden call-up in the Zimbabwe series as India look to transition from stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, who retired after the conclusion of T20 World Cup 2024.

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Shubman revealed the news while speaking to the reporters in Harare ahead of the team's first T20I match on 6 July, Saturday. Gill added that CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad would be taking over the No. 3 spot.

"Abhishek Sharma will open with me and Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at No.3," Gill, who was a part of the travelling reserves in India's T20 World Cup squad, told reporters.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India had announced India's squad on Monday, 24 June. India handed multiple call-ups to promising youngsters who have shown their mettle in the Indian Premier League and the domestic arena over the last 12 months. Amongst the notable call-ups are Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma who were two of the standout players in the IPL 2024 season. Alongside Abhishek Sharma, his SRH teammate Nitish Kumar Reddy has been named in the squad as well, as a specialist fast-bowling all-rounder.

ZIM vs IND, 1st T20I: Predicted Playing XIs

India were forced to change their squad later on as Nitish Reddy was ruled out due to sports hernia earlier this week. Nitish, while speaking exclusively to IndiaToday.in said that he was taking some time off and would be working on his shoulder as well, which was stiff after the IPL 2024 season.

Shivam Dube was announced as the replacement for the player.

India's updated squad for Zimbabwe tour

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, Shivam Dube.

India tour of Zimbabwe 2024: Full Schedule

1st T20I on July 6, Saturday

2nd T20I on July 7, Sunday

3rd T20I on July 10, Wednesday

4th T20I on July 13, Saturday

5th T20I on July 14, Sunday

Published By: Kingshuk Kusari Published On: Jul 5, 2024

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