India begin a three-match Twenty20 International series against Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday, with Shreyas Iyer leading a young squad as the visitors look to build momentum ahead of a busy white-ball calendar.
The series will also see VVS Laxman return as stand-in head coach in the absence of Gautam Gambhir, with several inexperienced players expected to get extended opportunities.
Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. Abhishek scored his maiden T20I century at the Harare Sports Club, while Sooryavanshi struck a hundred at the venue during the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year.
India are expected to settle on their middle-order combination, with Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh set to play key roles. In the all-rounder’s slot, Harsh Dubey, Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge are in contention.
Zimbabwe, captained by Sikandar Raza, will look to make the most of home conditions, with fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava expected to play pivotal roles.
Match details
Fixture: Zimbabwe vs India, 1st T20I
Date: Thursday, July 23
Time: 4:30 p.m. IST (1100 GMT)Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
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