2 From PBKS! Players Whom Shreyas Iyer Could Completely Ignore In India Vs Zimbabwe T20Is

Players who might be ignored in IND vs ZIM T20Is [Source: AFP]

Shreyas Iyer had a torrid start to his captaincy tenure, as the Indian T20I team concluded the UK tour without a single victory. Given that his reputation is at stake, Shreyas Iyer would be desperate to bounce back and record his first T20I series win when India take on Zimbabwe in a three-match series, starting on July 23. 

Given the Indian team performed abysmally in Ireland and England, the Men in Blue will field their best combination to get the better of Zimbabwe in their backyard. In such a scenario, there are three players, including two from PBKS, whom Shreyas Iyer might make warm the bench throughout the tour, as listed below. 

1. Prabhsimran Singh

Why could Shreyas Iyer ignore Prabhsimran Singh?

Swashbuckling PBKS opener Prabhsimran Singh received his maiden call-up for the India vs Zimbabwe series following a fruitful IPL 2026 campaign. Playing for the Shreyas Iyer-led side, Prabhsimran finished the tournament as the most successful batter of PBKS with 510 runs at an average of 42.5 and a strike rate of 168.87. 

However, despite proving his mettle in the IPL, Prabhsimran might warm the bench in the Zimbabwe T20Is, with India likely to prefer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Abhishek Sharma's opening partner. 

Sooryavanshi is regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Considering his immense potential, the team management will likely give the southpaw all three matches to make his chances count in international cricket. Additionally, with Ishan Kishan set to take up the wicketkeeper's role, PBKS star Prabhsimran Singh could remain on the sidelines throughout the series. 

Also Read: After Ireland, England, India To Lose T20I Series Against Zimbabwe?

2. Suryansh Shedge

Why could Shreyas Iyer ignore Suryansh Shedge?

Poor performance in Ireland and England

(Suryansh Shedge in Ireland and England T20Is)

Young allrounder Suryansh Shedge registered a string of failures on India's tours of Ireland and England. Known for his destructive batting in the PBKS jersey, Shedge was nowhere close to his best in the UK, managing only eight runs in two outings. 

He was not exceptional with the ball either, failing to scalp a single wicket with his medium pace bowling. 

Presence of Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh and Harsh Dubey in the squad

While Suryansh Shedge's recent form could discourage the Indian team management from including him in the playing XI, the presence of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Harsh Dubey might not help the PBKS star's cause either. 

The middling returns of India's middle-order batters in Ireland and England were the primary reason behind their dismal outing in the UK. 

This is the reason why Rinku Singh could make a comeback to the team as a specialist sixth batter, with Shivam Dube likely to play as the first-choice allrounder for being more experienced than Shedge. 

Furthermore, if the pitches in Zimbabwe are on the drier side, Harsh Dubey might pip Shedge in the selection race. Considering all these factors, we reckon Suryansh Shedge could be another player whom Shreyas Iyer might ignore all through the Zimbabwe series. 

3. Mayank Yadav

Why could Shreyas Iyer ignore Mayank Yadav?

(Mayank Yadav's IPL 2026 numbers)

Mayank Yadav rose to prominence during the IPL 2024, where he broke speed guns with his pace. Although the fast bowler has troubled the batters with raw pace, his tendency to break down with injuries has curtailed Mayank's international career so far. 

Mayank Yadav made his debut for India in October 2024 and has played only three matches since then. He looked lacklustre with the ball in IPL 2026, going wicketless for four consecutive matches at an economy of 11.38. 

On the contrary, his competitors- Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur- are comfortably ahead of him in the pecking order. 

(Prince Yadav and Ashok Sharma's stats in IPL 2026)

Prince has become a vital cog of the Indian pace battery in T20Is and will lead the pack in Zimbabwe. Yash Thakur brings variety to the table with death bowling expertise and deceptive variations, while Ashok Sharma's athleticism and skiddy bowling give him an edge over Mayank Yadav. 

So, although the BCCI selection committee included Mayank in the India T20I squad vs Zimbabwe, he won't likely get the first preference ahead of players like Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur, who have consistently performed in the domestic circuit besides being fitter than him. 

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