Sooryavanshi in, Samson out. Rinku is back as BCCI announces squad for Zimbabwe T20Is

ByTech Word News

In a big call, the senior selection committee has dropped Sanja Samson from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe starting on July 23. While the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee did not clarify whether Samson was rested, the decision comes just days after he was dropped from the playing XI for the ongoing T20I series against England to accommodate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Samson, who won the Player of the Tournament award during India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign earlier this year, endured a lean run on the ongoing tour of the UK. He managed just six runs in three T20Is in Ireland and England.

Indian squad for Zimbabwe T20I series: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakuran, Ashok Yabdav, S.

Samson came under pressure with 15-year-old Sooryavanshi waiting in the wings. Eventually, the team management dropped him for the second T20I in Manchester, handing Sooryavanshi his first India cap.

It’s an interesting challenge as India have picked Punjab Kings star Prabhsimran Singh as their second wicket-taker in the team.

The rest of the top order kept their place, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma finding places in the Shreyas Iyer-led team.

India resisted the temptation to send the second string to Zimbabwe, given the game time required for the team in transition under Iyer.

MAIN VALUES OF THE SQUAD

  • No Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh was selected as the second keeper.
  • Shreyas Iyer will lead an almost full team.
  • Rinku Singh back. Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge retain spots.
  • Fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana rested.
  • No place for Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar.
  • Mayank Yadav returns, Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma call.

RINKU SINGH BACK

In welcome news, Kolkata Knight Riders star Rinku Singh has returned to the team for the first time since the T20 World Cup earlier this year. He was dropped from the T20I squad for the UK tour along with Suryakumar Yadav.

Rinku lasted a few lean years with the bat. In 2026, he scored just 115 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.75 in T20Is. However, he showed flashes of a return to form towards the end of the IPL 2026 campaign with KKR.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya doesn’t seem ready to return to international cricket after missing the UK tour due to injury. The all-rounder recently shifted base to Bengaluru to continue his rehabilitation at the Center of Excellence in the South Indian city.

Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge have retained their places as fast bowling all-rounders in the side, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is missing due to injury.

ARSHDEEP SINGH, HARSHIT RANA RESTED

As for the pace-bowling unit, the selectors have rested Arshdeep Singh while handing the first call-up to ripping pacer Ashok Sharma. The 24-year-old fast bowler from Rajasthan played six matches for Gujarat Titans in his first IPL season in 2026 and picked up six wickets. He is known for consistently bowling at speeds of 150 km/h.

Prince Yadav, who impressed at the highest level in his first season, express pacer Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur were also selected along with Ashok.

Harshit Rana, who recently recovered from injury, is likely to be rested.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy will lead the spin-bowling attack alongside left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar were left out for the Zimbabwe assignment.

India will play three more T20Is in England before traveling to Zimbabwe.

ZIMBABWE vs INDIA T20I SCHEDULE

  • 1st T20I in Harare on Thursday 23 July
  • 2nd T20I in Harare on Saturday 25th July
  • 3rd T20I in Harare on Sunday 26th July

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

06 Jul 2026 19:06 IST