It is the dawn of a new era in India’s T20 cricket as veteran players bid adieu to the format following India’s triumphant second T20 World Cup win in Barbados just a few days ago. With the retirement of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, significant changes have been made to the squad taking on Zimbabwe in an upcoming series set to commence in Harare on Saturday, July 6. The shift signifies a new chapter in Indian cricket as younger talents are being ushered in to fill the vacuum left by these legends.
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube are the only members retained from the World Cup-winning squad, but they will miss the initial three T20Is of the series. Many new faces have been introduced to the team, marking a significant overhaul aimed at securing long-term success and continuity.
### Squad Changes for the Zimbabwe T20 Series: Who’s In?
The three World Cup members will join the squad later due to celebrations back home. For the first two T20Is, a completely revamped 15-member squad has been selected. The lineup features several newcomers and promising talents eager to make their mark on the international stage.
– **Abhishek Sharma**: A gifted all-rounder who has shown promise in domestic cricket.
– **Riyan Parag**: Known for his agility and batting prowess, receiving his maiden call-up.
– **Dhruv Jurel**: Another fresh face expected to make an impact, also on his first call-up.
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– **Tushar Deshpande and Harshit Rana**: Both have shown exceptional skills in domestic circuits and are ready for their international debuts.
Some familiar names from the reserves of the World Cup squad, such as **Shubman Gill**, **Rinku Singh**, **Khaleel Ahmed**, and **Avesh Khan**, have been included in the main squad for the Zimbabwe series.
Additionally, established players like **Ruturaj Gaikwad**, **Washington Sundar**, **Ravi Bishnoi**, **Mukesh Kumar**, **Sai Sudharsan**, and **Jitesh Sharma** have also been roped in. These players have previously stepped up when senior members were unavailable and now have the opportunity to cement their spots, also keeping an eye on the future with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind.
### Notable Absences: Who’s Out?
Almost the entire World Cup squad has either retired or been rested for this series. Leading figures like **Yuzvendra Chahal**, who didn’t get a game during the World Cup, appear to have played their last in this format for India. Veterans **Kohli**, **Rohit**, and **Jadeja** have officially retired, while premiere bowlers like **Jasprit Bumrah**, **Mohammed Siraj**, and **Arshdeep Singh** have been given a break.
Key players, including **Rishabh Pant**, **Hardik Pandya**, **Suryakumar Yadav**, **Axar Patel**, and **Kuldeep Yadav**, are also being rested after a demanding season that saw them participate in both the T20 World Cup and the IPL.
Here is the detailed squad breakdown:
#### **For the 1st and 2nd T20Is:**
– **Shubman Gill (Captain)**
– **Ruturaj Gaikwad**
– **Abhishek Sharma**
– **Rinku Singh**
– **Dhruv Jurel (WK)**
– **Riyan Parag**
– **Washington Sundar**
– **Ravi Bishnoi**
– **Avesh Khan**
– **Khaleel Ahmed**
– **Mukesh Kumar**
– **Tushar Deshpande**
– **Sai Sudharsan**
– **Jitesh Sharma (WK)**
– **Harshit Rana**
#### **For the 3rd, 4th, and 5th T20Is:**
– **Shubman Gill (Captain)**
– **Yashasvi Jaiswal**
– **Ruturaj Gaikwad**
– **Abhishek Sharma**
– **Rinku Singh**
– **Sanju Samson (WK)**
– **Dhruv Jurel (WK)**
– **Riyan Parag**
– **Shivam Dube**
– **Washington Sundar**
– **Ravi Bishnoi**
– **Avesh Khan**
– **Khaleel Ahmed**
– **Mukesh Kumar**
– **Tushar Deshpande**
The new skipper, Shubman Gill, has confirmed that the opening pair and number three spot are pre-determined for the Zimbabwe T20Is, reflecting a clear strategy going into the series.
The rejuvenated squad begins a brand new chapter in Indian T20 cricket, and the Zimbabwe series will be a crucial test for these young guns looking to secure their places in the team for the future. The series also offers an excellent platform for the debutants and relatively inexperienced players to showcase their skills on an international stage.
