India take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I as Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first at the Harare Sports Club on July 6. Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag made their India debut in the series opener under Shubman Gill's first assignment as Men in Blue's captain.
After winning the toss, India skipper Shubman Gill, said:
“We will field first. I think it looks like a good surface. It won't change much later. It has been long coming. We won an ICC event after 11 years. You always have some expectations from yourself. We have three debutants. Sharma, Jurel and Parag make their debuts".
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza, after losing the toss, said:
“I don't mind batting first. The wicket looks good. Zimbabwe cricket has trusted me with this transition phase. I look for young boys to come out and fight. It is humbling to lead this bunch. Sean has retired. It is a young side. Ervine will have a role in future.”
India's Playing XI:
Shubman Gill(c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed
Zimbabwe's Playing XI
Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara
Head-to-Head
In men's T20 internationals, India has a dominant record against Zimbabwe. The two-time T20 world champions have won six out of eight head-to-head matches. Zimbabwe managed to defeat India twice, once in 2015 and again in 2016.
Pitch Report
“Slight covering of grass. Would dry out quickly. The surface won't change much. Good batting wicket. 150 is the average score at Harare in the last 10-12 games but don't think that would be enough on this deck,” former Zimbabwe cricketer Tino Mawoyo analysed the pitch.
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