After a commanding 100-run victory in the second T20I at Harare Sports Club on Sunday (July 7), India seeks to continue its dominance over Zimbabwe in the third T20I at the same venue on Wednesday (July 10). With Indian batters amassing a total of 234 runs in the previous match, the return of three T20 World Cup 2024 winners—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson—bolsters the batting lineup for the remaining three matches.
The trio missed the first two matches due to Team India’s delayed arrival from the West Indies after their T20 World Cup triumph. Although Jaiswal and Samson did not play in the T20 World Cup, they are expected to feature in the third T20I against Zimbabwe. Samson is likely to replace Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeeper-batter, while Jaiswal is set to come in for Sai Sudharsan, who debuted in the second T20I but did not bat. Jaiswal’s inclusion will necessitate a reshuffle in the batting order, moving Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored 100 and 77* respectively in the second T20I, to the No. 3 and 4 positions.
Shivam Dube, who played in all eight matches of the T20 World Cup for India, is expected to replace Riyan Parag, who scored two runs on debut. Dube’s medium-paced bowling will also be crucial for India. The pace duo of Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar is likely to remain unchanged, keeping Khaleel Ahmed and Tushar Pande on the bench. Spinners Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi, who have troubled Zimbabwe’s batters in the first two matches, will continue to play pivotal roles.
India’s probable playing XI for the third T20I against Zimbabwe:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Shivam Dube
- Rinku Singh
- Washington Sundar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Avesh Khan
- Mukesh Kumar
India aims to clinch the series with another victory and maintain their winning momentum against Zimbabwe.
