Zimbabwe awaits Indian team

With India on the cusp of possibly breaking their title drought in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, there are major changes ahead for their upcoming white-ball series. A youthful Indian squad is gearing up to visit Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series commencing on July 6. Star players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav are anticipated to sit out this series.

As per a report from the Indian Express, Shubman Gill, captain of the IPL's Gujarat Titans, is expected to lead the team in the absence of the experienced players. This move reflects the selectors' desire to provide up-and-coming talents with a platform to exhibit their abilities on the international stage.

The provisional squad for the Zimbabwe series reportedly includes several IPL standouts and players who have been on the fringes of the national team. The list features:

- Shubman Gill (Captain)

- Abhishek Sharma (maiden call-up)

- Riyan Parag

- Nitush Kumar Reddy (whose part-time seam bowling adds to his value)

- Tushar Deshpande

- Harshit Rana

- Sanju Samson

- Yashasvi Jaiswal

- Rinku Singh

The senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has already picked a provisional 20-member squad and is awaiting confirmations from Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav regarding their availability.

In addition to the squad changes, there will be a temporary shift in the coaching staff. With Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach concluding after the T20 World Cup 2024, VVS Laxman will take over the coaching responsibilities for the Zimbabwe tour. This arrangement will remain in place until the BCCI announces the next full-time head coach.

This tour provides a significant opportunity for young and emerging players to establish themselves on the international stage, and it also allows the senior members to rest and recuperate after the demanding World Cup campaign.