 "India vs Zimbabwe: Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel debut")
India handed debut to trio of Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma and Dhruv Jurel as skipper Shubman Gill won the first toss in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (July 6).
“Looks like a really good surface. We just want to get a look at the target and see how it goes,” Gill said at the toss.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said they didn’t mind chasing on the surface which had a nice firm covering of grass, while also stating that it was time for transition.
Parag had a standout performance in IPL 2024 playing for Rajasthan Royals, where he scored 573 runs in 16 matches with four half-centuries at an impressive strike rate of 149.21. He concluded the season as the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer.
Abhishek also shone in the IPL, ending with 484 runs in 16 games at a striking rate of 204.21. He smashed 42 sixes, the most by any player in the season.
Despite a strong showing in the Test series against England earlier in the year, Jurel had a relatively subdued IPL season, managing 195 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 138.29.
Gill is set to partner with Abhishek in opening the batting, while Ruturaj Gaikwad is slated to bat at No. 3.
The Indian side will rely on fast bowlers Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed, with Ravi Bishnoi leading the spin bowling attack. Washington Sundar will contribute as the all-rounder in the team.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPlaying XIs:
India: Shubman Gill(c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed
Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara
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