![Zimbabwe will face India in 3rd T20I on July 26 [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784998014219_ZimbabwePredictedPlayingXIvsIND3rdT20I.jpg?type=hq)
Zimbabwe will face India in 3rd T20I on July 26 [Source: AP]
Zimbabwe and India cricket teams will now face each other in the dead-rubber third T20I of their three-match series. The match will be hosted at the iconic Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 26.
Team India won the first two T20Is with convincing margins at the same venue to clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.
Zimbabwe vs India: Preview
The Zimbabwe cricket team, led by legendary all-rounder Sikandar Raza, fielded the same playing XI in both matches of the series so far. Despite suffering a humiliating seven-wicket drubbing in Harare on July 23, the Zimbabwe team management retained its group, as confirmed at the toss of the second T20I.
However, with the series already gone, the Zimbabwe management will likely make at least a couple of changes to its playing XI for the impending dead-rubber. Here, we take a look at the predicted playing XI of the Zimbabwe team for the third T20I against India in Harare.
Openers and Top Order: Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Dion Myers
Brian Bennett will continue to open the innings for Zimbabwe, especially after the attacking top-order batter got his side off to a flier against India in the second T20I in Harare. His opening partner Ben Curran, however, might be dropped from the playing XI for the third T20I after sustaining two failures in the series.
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The Zimbabwe team management might bring fellow opener Innocent Kaia back into the side as Curran’s replacement. While Kaia last played a T20I match more than two years ago, the cricketer has plundered four hundreds across all forms of the game (domestic and international) in the past few months.
Dion Myers will likely receive another crack at number three in the playing XI despite charting just 18 runs in two matches of the series.
Middle Order and All Rounders: Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani
Spin bowling all-rounders Ryan Burl and captain Sikandar Raza will continue to helm Zimbabwe’s middle order owing to their vast experience and match-winning dexterity.
Wessly Madhevere looks in good nick as he composed a fighting 39 in the series-opener a couple of days ago. The cricketer can also lend his arm for a couple of quality overs of right-arm spin.
Wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani will retain his place in the XI, but the 24-year-old will be aiming to notch up a notable score after getting off to good starts in both matches of the series.
Bowlers: Brad Evans, Tanaka Chivanga, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
All-rounder Brad Evans will continue his role for Zimbabwe in the impending third T20I to close off the series. Fast bowlers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani will also be expected to helm Zimbabwe’s pace attack once again.
Fellow paceman Newman Nyamhuri, however, might be dropped from the team considering the 20-year-old has picked up just one wicket in two matches of the series with an expensive economy rate of 11.
Tanaka Chivanga, who last played a T20I four years ago, might receive a surprise call-up in the playing XI as Nyamhuri’s replacement.
Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI vs India – 3rd T20I, 2026
Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Wesly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brad Evans, Tanaka Chivanga, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
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