Team India starts T20I journey sans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in five-match series vs Zimbabwe in Harare
NEW DELHI: When the Indian T20 team takes on Zimbabwe in a five-match series that begins in Harare on Saturday, they will be going on a voyage of self-discovery without their regular talismans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in an attempt to uncover their future treasures.

Shubman Gill, a reserve on the T20 World Cup team, and a number of IPL players will press the refresh button even as the excitement of winning the T20 World Cup spreads around India.

During the series, which is totally slated to be played in Zimbabwe’s capital, all of the newcomers are anticipated to make their international debut.


Two youngsters who could make their debuts are Riyan Parag, a young Assamese player who has shown much of potential as a T20 hitter, and Punjab’s Abhishek Sharma, who had an amazing IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. They both meet every requirement for this format.

Even both Rohit and Kohli have missed a number of bilateral series in the last few years, particularly in the shortest format, their official departure from the format will undoubtedly be felt more keenly.

It will be difficult to match the abilities and qualities that the two contemporary greats brought to the table, but as is the way of things, the old guard must give way to the new one.

Zimbabwe isn’t the strongest opponent by any means, but in the Twenty20 format, the difference between the two teams isn’t as great as it is in the other two formats.


The hosts, led by the fearless Sikandar Raza, a former IPL player for the Punjab Kings, could be quite the force on windy days at the Harare Sports Club, where the ball will jiggle around as the afternoon progresses.

These youngsters will remain in the running when the world champion team’s first team members return to national service thanks to a few strong performances in this series.

From the third match onwards, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be available; some of the young men will only have a few games to demonstrate their abilities.

There won’t be many openings in the starting eleven as players like Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav, who is expected to be his deputy, return to T20Is in the future. In the shortest format, the national team will play 34 games from now until the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.

Although captain Gill is anticipated to open, it remains to be seen if his closest friend Abhishek earns his first India cap or if seasoned CSK captain and captain of the squad that won gold at the Asian Games, Ruturaj Gaikwad, is selected.

Gaikwad might bat third or switch places with the Punjab southpaw if Abhishek begins. Compared to Abhishek, Parag has a better chance of making his debut because he can bat at No. 4, a position he has carved out for the Royals.

In this new look lineup, Rinku Singh-the Indian T20 team’s designated finisher for years to come-is projected to bat at No. 5, with Dhruv Jurel or Jitesh Sharma batting at No. 6 and wearing the huge gloves.


Based on the selection pattern, Jurel started this series as the backup keeper behind Sanju Samson, but Jitesh was a late addition due to the World Cup squad players’ unavailability.

As a result, Jurel, who had a strong Test debut against England, would probably start the first two matches before Samson gets there.

A highly consistent death bowler, Mukesh Kumar, might be the third seamer to surpass Harshit Rana, who is a superior slogger with the willow, in the bowling department. Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed are the two standbys during the T20 World Cup.

With his versatility, Washington Sundar will keep his position until Dube gets there, while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi is anticipated to participate in every match.


Squads:
India (first 2 games): Shubman Gill (c), 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

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba