RCB Captain Rajat Patidar (Source: AFP)The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played in Harare from July 23 to July 26. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. The squad includes players such as Rinku Singh, Mayank Yadav, Harsh Dubey, Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur and Prabhsimran Singh. At the same time, players like Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna are missing from the squad.While the selectors rewarded several young performers, a few in-form players were unlucky to miss out despite performing well in IPL 2026.India T20I Squad For Zimbabwe 2026: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).Here is a look at deserving players who could have been part of India’s squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series.Deserving Stars Who Missed Out From India T20I Squad vs ZimbabweRajat PatidarCriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStatsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableInningsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table14SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table501SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike rateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table192.69SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table41.75SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Rajat Patidar's IPL 2026 stats)The first and foremost player that could have been included in the India’s squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series was Rajat Patidar. The RCB captain enjoyed an outstanding IPL 2026 season, scoring 501 runs in 15 matches at an average of 41.75 and an impressive strike rate of 192.69.He continued his excellent form in the MP T20 League 2026, where he scored 306 runs in eight innings at an average of 38.25 and an outstanding strike rate of 198.70.Patidar has developed into one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in T20 cricket. His ability to score quickly under pressure makes him a valuable option for India’s batting line-up.Another important factor is that he is a right-handed batter, which would have brought balance to a squad that has several left-handed batters. Considering his recent form and consistency, Patidar looked well deserving of a place in the India's T20I squad.Rasikh Salam DarYoung fast bowler Rasikh Salam Dar also appeared unlucky to miss out after a breakthrough IPL season. He finished IPL 2026 as the highest wicket-taker among uncapped players. The star pacer played in 12 matches and bagged 19 wickets at an economy rate of 9.45 for RCB.Rasikh impressed with his yorkers, variations and ability to bowl under pressure. Instead of relying only on pace, he consistently troubled batters with smart execution and disciplined bowling.Also Read: Biggest Selection Blunders By BCCI In India T20I squad vs ZimbabweWith the selectors picking Yash Thakur and injury-prone pacer Mayank Yadav, the BCCI would have opted for Rasikh in the India’s squad. His recent performances suggested he was ready for an international opportunity and could have added another dimension to India’s pace attack.Dhruv JurelDhruv Jurel is another player who can count himself unfortunate after not being selected for India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series.With Sanju Samson rested, the selectors chose Prabhsimran Singh as the second wicketkeeper alongside Ishan Kishan. However, Jurel was also a strong candidate because of his ability to keep wickets and play different batting roles.In IPL 2026, Jurel scored 515 runs in 16 innings at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 154.65. He has the ability to play as a finisher and stabilise the innings when required in the middle-order.India’s opening combination already appears settled with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma, while Ishan Kishan is expected to bat at No. 3. In such a situation, Jurel could have provided flexibility in the middle order while also serving as a reliable backup wicketkeeper. Kartik TyagiAnother player who could have been considered by the BCCI was Kartik Tyagi. In IPL 2026 playing for KKR, he picked up 18 wickets in 13 innings while maintaining an economy rate of 9.76.Tyagi's biggest strength is his genuine pace. He regularly bowls between 145 km/h and 150 km/h and uses his high-arm action to generate extra bounce. His ability to hit hard lengths and trouble batters with pace makes him an exciting option in the shortest format, and the selectors could have considered him for the series.Also Read: Pakistan Captain Skips National Duty For The Hundred 2026
