1st T20I, ZIM vs IND: Shubman Gill's India opt to bowl against Zimbabwe

NEW DELHI: The five-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe commenced on Saturday, with the Indian captain, Shubman Gill, opting to bowl first after winning the toss.
This series holds significance as it provides an opportunity for the Indian team to evaluate and groom the next generation of players, keeping in mind the 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

In line with this objective, the Indian team management handed debut caps to three promising youngsters: Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel.

Abhishek and Riyan had impressive performances in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) season, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, respectively.
Dhruv Jurel, a wicketkeeper-batter, has been rewarded for his outstanding performances, including a splendid Test debut against England earlier this year.
The selection committee has taken a forward-looking approach by including these GenNext players in the squad, allowing them to gain valuable international exposure and assess their potential for future assignments.

Additionally, the team will be bolstered by the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube for the last three games of the series. These players were part of the Indian squad for the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
The Indian playing XI for the first T20I comprised Shubman Gill (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed.
On the other hand, the Zimbabwe team, led by Sikandar Raza, fielded Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wicketkeeper), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, and Tendai Chatara.