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Samson & Jaiswal Out, '2 Debutants' In; India's Strongest XI For First Two T20Is vs Zimbabwe

Jaiswal, Samson to miss first 2 T20Is vs ZIM [X]Jaiswal, Samson to miss first 2 T20Is vs ZIM [X]

In a significant development, swashbuckling batters Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal were excluded from India's squad for Zimbabwe series. 

The trio's arrival delayed amid the ongoing cyclonic storm in Barbados, so they couldn't travel to Zimbabwe with the rest of the squad. 

Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana and Jitesh Sharma have replaced them in the Indian squad for the first two T20Is against the hosts. 

So, as the Men in Blue gear up for the series opener, let's see what could be their preferred playing XI for the first T20I in Harare. 


India's strongest playing XI for 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe

Top-order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill

Gill will lead IND in ZIM T20Is [X]Gill will lead IND in ZIM T20Is [X]

IPL 2024 sensation Abhishek Sharma, who played a pivotal role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's prolific outing in the tournament, will likely open the batting alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

The duo's ability to counter both pace and spin effectively makes it lethal at the top-order. These two batters will be followed by Shubman Gill, set to lead the Indian team on this tour. The stylish right-hander's job will be to anchor the innings. 


Middle order: Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar

Riyan Parag, who did extremely well at number four for Rajasthan Royals, will likely bat at his preferred position. The right-handed batter struck 573 runs at a magnificent average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.22. 

He will be followed by explosive finisher Rinku Singh and spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. 


Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed

Talented wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi will lead India's spin bowling department in Kuldeep Yadav's absence. Meanwhile, the trio of Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar will spearhead India's pace bowling unit. 

 

India's strongest playing XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed