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The ongoing five-match T20 series between India and Zimbabwe has reached an intriguing juncture with each team securing a victory in the first two matches, resulting in a level series.
India have seen the emergence of four promising debutants – Dhruv Jurel, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Sai Sudarshan – who have showcased their talents on the international stage. Their inclusion has added depth and potential to India’s squad, reflecting the team’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Player additions in India’s squad
From the third T20 match onwards until the series concludes on July 14th, India will bolster their squad with the experienced trio of Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
These seasoned players bring not only skill and experience but also a wealth of cricketing acumen, potentially altering the dynamics of India’s playing eleven. Their presence is expected to provide stability and firepower in both batting and fielding departments, aiming to consolidate India’s performance and secure a series victory against Zimbabwe.
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India’s top-choice playing XI for the last 3 T20Is against Zimbabwe:
- Abhishek Sharma: Abhishek displayed his batting prowess throughout the series, accumulating a total of 100 runs in two matches at an impressive average of 50.00. His consistent performances with the bat were crucial in providing stability to the Indian middle-order. Sharma’s ability to score runs fluently and at a brisk pace was evident, making him a valuable asset in India’s batting lineup.
- Shubman Gill: Gill played important innings for India, scoring a total of 33 runs in two matches at an average of 16.50. Gill’s performances highlighted his ability to stabilize the innings and build partnerships in the middle overs. Although he didn’t have big scores, his contributions were vital in setting up a platform for the middle and lower order to capitalize on.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: Gaikwad showcased exceptional form with the bat, amassing a total of 84 runs in two innings at an outstanding average of 84.00. Gaikwad’s performances were marked by his ability to build partnerships and anchor the innings effectively. His knack for scoring runs consistently and maintaining a high average reflected his maturity and reliability as a top-order batter for India.
- Shivam Dube: Dube, a part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, missed the first two matches. His potential return could bolster India’s middle-order batting, providing power-hitting capabilities and depth.
- Sanju Samson: Samson, also included in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, missed the initial games. His return could offer versatility in the batting lineup, potentially replacing Ryan Parag.
- Rinku Singh: Rinku contributed significantly to India’s batting effort, scoring a total of 48 runs in two matches at an impressive average of 48.00. Singh’s innings were characterized by his ability to accelerate the scoring rate when needed and provide crucial contributions in the lower middle-order. His ability to handle pressure situations and contribute with valuable runs was crucial in India’s overall performance.
- Dhruv Jurel: Jurel played limited roles in the series, scoring 6 runs in two matches at an average of 6.00. While his contributions with the bat were minimal, Jurel’s presence provided depth to India’s batting lineup and added stability in lower-order batting scenarios. His role as a wicketkeeper-batter was crucial in maintaining the balance of the team so far.
- Washington Sundar: Sundar showcased his all-round capabilities with both bat and ball throughout the series. He scored a total of 27 runs in two innings at an average of 27.00, displaying his ability to contribute effectively with the bat in lower middle-order situations. With the ball, Sundar bowled economically and picked up 3 crucial wickets in 8 overs at an average of 13.00, showcasing his versatility as a spin bowling all-rounder.
- Ravi Bishnoi: Bishnoi emerged as a standout performer in the bowling department, picking up 6 wickets in 8 overs across two matches at an exceptional average of 4.00. Bishnoi’s ability to consistently trouble the Zimbabwean batter with his variations and accuracy made him a potent threat. His performances played a pivotal role in restricting the opposition’s scoring rate and picking up crucial breakthroughs at crucial junctures.
- Avesh Khan: Avesh showcased his bowling prowess by picking up 4 wickets in 7 overs at an average of 11.00. Khan’s ability to generate pace and movement off the pitch troubled the Zimbabwean batters consistently. His performances were marked by his control over line and length, which helped in maintaining pressure on the opposition and picking up wickets at regular intervals.
- Mukesh Kumar: Mukesh made significant contributions with the ball, picking up 4 wickets in 6.4 overs at an average of 13.25. Kumar’s ability to swing the ball both ways and extract bounce from the pitch made him a challenging bowler to face. His disciplined bowling spells were crucial in containing the opposition’s batting lineup and picking up important breakthroughs when needed.
