India vs Zimbabwe Toss. Image Credits: BCCI
India will lock horns with Zimbabwe in the 1st T20I of the three-match series on Thursday in Harare. The series comes at an important time for the Indian team and especially for new captain Shreyas Iyer, who will be aiming to register his first series victory as India’s T20I skipper.
India enter the series after suffering a difficult tour of Ireland and England. The team endured a shocking 2-0 series defeat against Ireland at Stormont in Belfast. The struggles continued in England, where India failed to bounce back.
The opening T20I of the series was washed out due to rain, but the visitors went on to lose the next four matches in a row.
The IND vs ZIM series will also be closely watched because of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old made his much-awaited T20I debut during the England series but was unable to make a significant contribution with the bat.
The Zimbabwe series is expected to be a crucial test for Shreyas Iyer's leadership. Since taking over as captain, Iyer has yet to taste success in T20I cricket.
With the excitement at an all-time high for the IND vs ZIM 1st T20I, in this article, let's take a look at the toss update and the playing XI of India and Zimbabwe.
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IND vs ZIM 1st T20I: Toss Update
Two captains - Shreyas Iyer (IND) and Sikandar Raza (ZIM) are in the middle for the toss.
India won the toss and opted to bowl first. It is vital to note that Shreyas Iyer has become the first captain in Men's T20I history to win the toss in each of his first eight matches as captain.
IND vs ZIM 1st T20I: Playing XIs
It is important to mention that Ashok Sharma is making his debut for India. On the other hand, for Zimbabwe, Newman Nyamhuri and Ben Curran are making their T20I debuts today.
India Playing XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav
Zimbabwe Playing XI: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Shreyas Iyer (India Captain): "We are going to bowl first. (On the conditions) It is my first time here; I don't know how it (the pitch) will play. But looking at the practice wickets and the practice wickets on the side, there was a decent amount of bounce. So definitely, that's one of the aspects.
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(No grass on this wicket. Still, are you expecting the bounce?) I don't know how it's going to play, but anticipating it.
(On Zimbabwe and their recent exploits) They have been playing brilliantly for the last 2 years, especially in the World Cup; the way they played, it was pleasing to the eye. The batters and the bowlers executing their strengths. It was amazing.
(Team combination) We are going in with 3 seamers and 1 spinner."
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain): "(What would he have done) We didn't mind to bat first. This is not a typical Harare wicket. I think there is a lot of runs on this wicket and we want to put some decent amount of runs on the board.
(Takeaways from the series in Bulawayo) I think we did a good job in Bulawayo. Our bowling unit did a fabulous job. We hope that our lowing batting order contributes and our bowling department keeps firing.
(Team combination) We have got 4 seamers and a spinner. You can say that I am a medium seamer. Newman Nyamhuri is making his T20I debut today. Ben Curran, after a long wait, makes his T20I Debut as well.
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