India vs Zimbabwe Live Score, 1st T20I: Shreyas Iyer aims for first win as captain – The Tech Word News
India vs Zimbabwe Live Score, 1st T20I: The young Indian T20I team will look to put recent disappointments behind them when they take on Zimbabwe in the first match of the three-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Captain Shreyas Iyer will be under pressure after a difficult start to his T20I captaincy. India have managed just one win in their first seven matches as captain, so this series is an important chance to regain confidence and build momentum with a young squad.
Laxman returns as substitute coach
The series also sees the return of VVS Laxman as the stand-in head coach while Gautam Gambhir is unavailable.
Laxman’s team selection and approach will be closely watched, especially with several places in the playing eleven still undecided.
Focused on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
One of the biggest topics will be teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is expected to feature alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Both batsmen have fond memories of Harare Sports Club. Abhishek scored his maiden T20I century at the venue, while Vaibhav hit a century in the U-19 World Cup final earlier this year.
A pace-friendly pitch to challenge the batsmen
The Harare pitch is expected to help the fast bowlers with pace and bounce.
Zimbabwe will rely on experienced pacers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava to disrupt India’s top order. After recent batting struggles, India will need a much better start against the new ball.
Focused middle order combinations
India still have a few more selection questions to answer in the middle order.
Vice-captain Tilak Varma is yet to cement the No. 5 position, while Ishan Kishan has been preferred at No. 3. Rinku Singh is expected to continue in the finisher role.
The team management also needs to pick one all-rounder from Harsh Dubey, Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge.
The tempo attack is taking shape
The fast bowling attack is likely to feature Prince Yadav and the returning Mayank Yadav.
Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur are competing for the remaining bowling spot.
Zimbabwe ready for the challenge
Zimbabwe will be confident of making the most of the home conditions and will look to test an inexperienced India side from the start.
platoons
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Milton T Shumba, Tadziga.
India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (goalkeeper), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Tha Maykunh, Ashwick Yashkeeper, S.