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A fresh-faced Indian T20 squad, led by the dynamic Shubman Gill, has been announced for the upcoming five-match series against Zimbabwe in July.

 

This series marks a significant departure from the usual lineup, as the national selectors have decided to rest all the senior stars currently engaged in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting July 6.

 

Among the notable inclusions in this squad is Riyan Parag, the dashing batter from Assam, who has made history as the first cricketer from the North-Eastern region to receive a call-up to the Indian national team.

 

Parag’s impressive performance in the IPL, where he amassed 573 runs for the Rajasthan Royals, has clearly caught the selectors’ attention.

 

The five-match series, starting on July 6 and set to be held entirely in Harare, will not feature stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been given a well-deserved break after an intense period that included the IPL.

 

Even emerging stars such as Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested to broaden the pool of players ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.

 

Parag’s landmark selection

 

Riyan Parag's inclusion is a watershed moment for cricket in the North-East. At just 21, Parag’s journey to the national team is a testament to his talent and determination.

He joins the squad along with his Rajasthan Royals teammates Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel, both selected as wicket-keepers.

In addition to Parag, the squad features rookies like Punjab skipper Abhishek Sharma and Andhra Pradesh’s Nitish Reddy. The only player above 30 in the youthful squad is Mukesh Kumar, underscoring the selectors' emphasis on youth and potential.

Broadening the player pool

Abhishek Sharma’s explosive opening in the IPL with Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Reddy’s consistent all-round performances have earned them spots in the squad.

 

Reddy’s selection, in particular, aligns with the selectors' strategy to find a backup for Hardik Pandya.

 

A boost for Gill

 

Shubman Gill, who led Gujarat Titans this IPL season, missed out on the final squad for the T20 World Cup. However, his inclusion as captain for the Zimbabwe tour is seen as a strategic move to groom him for future leadership roles.

 

The squad also includes all the World Cup standbys: Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Rinku Singh, Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

 

Washington Sundar’s return

 

In a surprising yet commendable move, the selectors have recalled Tamil Nadu all-rounder Washington Sundar.

 

Sundar, who struggled for game time in the IPL due to the Impact Player rule, is known for his off-spin and ability to bowl in the Powerplay.

 

His inclusion could be crucial given the lack of quality off-spinners in the current setup.

 

Missed opportunities

 

Notably, two IPL performers, Harshit Rana of Kolkata Knight Riders and Yash Dayal of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, were overlooked in favor of Mukesh Kumar, whose experience and death-bowling skills made him a preferred choice.

 

Tushar Deshpande of Chennai Super Kings, who took 17 wickets in the IPL, was also selected, likely considering the conditions in Zimbabwe.

 

Wicketkeeping options

 

Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel are set to be the primary wicketkeeping options, with Ishan Kishan seemingly falling out of favor due to reported differences with the team management.

 

Squad overview

 

The squad's average age of around 25 highlights the selectors' intent to inject fresh energy and talent into the team. With Gill at the helm, the young team is expected to bring a new dynamism to the series against Zimbabwe.