BCCI announces India’s schedule for T20I series on Zimbabwe soil, second-string squad likely days after England tour

As it has been the case for most tours in the past decade, India may send a second-string squad to Zimbabwe for three-T20I series late July.

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Jasprit Bumrah, Brian Bennett

Players congratulate each other after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match between India and Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Chennai, India.

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The three-T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will begin on July 23.

The Zimbabwe tour is scheduled days after the ODI series against England.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for India’s tour of Zimbabwe for the three-T20I series in July. The T20I series will be played from July 23 to July 26 in Harare.

"Matches against India always generate enormous interest and this is a fantastic opportunity for our players to test themselves against the world champions on home soil," Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said.

 

 

"Following our encouraging performances at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, this series gives us a strong platform to build momentum and continue growing as a competitive force in international cricket."

 

 

Notably, Zimbabwe are scheduled to travel to India for a three-ODI series early in January 2027.

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The last time India toured Zimbabwe for a T20I series was under Shubman Gill’s captaincy in 2024. India had sent a second-string side for a five-T20I series whereas Abhishek Sharma made his debut.

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India’s jam-packed schedule after IPL 2026 

This time, India may send a second-string T20I squad to Zimbabwe again. India have a hectic schedule ahead of them after the completion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

First, India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-ODI series. Then, India will head to Ireland for a T20I series late in June. Early in July, India will tour England for five T20Is and three ODIs. The last ODI of the tour will be played on July 19, just days before the tour of Zimbabwe. Also, India are scheduled to play a two-Test series on Sri Lankan soil in August. The team management will look to manage the all-format players, especially the fast-bowlers.

India vs Zimbabwe head-to-head

India won the previous T20I series against Zimbabwe 4-1. India have never lost a T20I series on Zimbabwe soil. In 2015, the three-T20I series was drawn 1-1. The last time India took on Zimbabwe was in T20 World Cup 2026. India posted a daunting total of 256/4 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In reply, Zimbabwe posted 184/6 with opener Brian Bennett unbeaten on 59-ball 97. Zimbabwe lost the match by 72 runs.

Currently, skipper Sikandar Raza holds the record for most runs in India-Zimbabwe clashes. From 11 T20Is, he has 194 runs at an average of 17.63 and strike rate of 115.47. He is closely followed by Abhishek with 179 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 177.22, including a century and a fifty.

In the bowling department, India's Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar and Zimbabwe's Raza and Blessing Muzarabani have eight wickets each in T20I clashes.

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