India vs Zimbabwe 2024: 1st T20 Both Teams Best Playing 11

Shubman Gill reign begins as we look at the both teams best playing 11 for India vs Zimbabwe 2024 1st T20 International. 

It’s been less than a week since India won the historic T20 World Cup, but the young Indian team is already back in business with the upcoming T20 series vs Zimbabwe. While 3 players namely Yashasvi, Dube, and Samson from the World Cup team are a part of the T20 series vs Zimbabwe, they haven’t traveled for the first two T20Is. That means, for the first two T20Is, we will see a completely new squad.

The young Indian team will be led by the charismatic Shubman Gill, who will be beginning his International Captaincy tenure. It’s a great opportunity for Shubman Gill, who had also captained Gujarat Titans for the first time in the Indian Premier League. With a young squad alongside him, it looks like, Gill is already projected to be the future leader once the big guns retire or are unavailable.

The 5-match India vs Zimbabwe T20 series begins on July 6 with all matches being played at Harare. While the Indian team had announced the squad long back, the Zimbabwe Team had only announced it recently. So, with the squad in front of us, what Playing 11 does both Teams adopt for the 1st T20I? Well, let’s analyze the squad, and find out the best possible playing 11 for India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 2024.

India vs Zimbabwe 2024 Key Match Details:

Series: India Tour of Zimbabwe 2024

Match Type: Zimbabwe vs India 1st T20I

Where: Harare, Zimbabwe

When: July 06, 2024, 4:30 pm IST

India vs Zimbabwe 2024 Official T20 Squad for Indian Team (1st & 2nd T20I):

Batters: Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan & Shubman Gill (c)

WKs: Dhruv Jurel & Jitesh Sharma

All-rounders: Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag & Washington Sundar

Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi & Tushar Deshpande

Team India Playing 11 

With Yashasvi Jaiswal not available for the 1st T20I, India have two options to open alongside Shubman Gill. There’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is a more senior player, and there’s Abhishek Sharma, who had a fantastic IPL 2024. If Yashasvi was available, he would for sure opened alongside Shubman Gill, thus pushing Ruturaj Gaikwad to one place down at number 3. India might want to continue doing that, and thus Abhishek Sharma should open alongside Shubman Gill with Ruturaj Gaikwad at 3.

Coming to the middle-order, India will be without Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. Both were expected to play all the matches in the Zimbabwe tour. With these two not available, India will have to play Dhurv Jurel as the keeper, and Riyan Parag as the alternative for Shivam Dube at 4 and 5 respectively. Both played for RR in IPL 2024, and have been in good form off late.

Coming to the finishers, India will be delighted to see Rinku Singh back in the squad. Rinku was dearly missed in the T20 World Cup, and even as India won the World Cup, the lack of a good finisher was clearly visible in the team setup. Alongside Rinku, India have only one all-rounder, and that’s Washington Sundar to play as the finisher. With Sundar at 7, India lack the batting depth that was visible in the World Cup

India vs Zimbabwe 2024 1st T20 Best Playing 11 for Indian Team:

1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Shubman Gill (c)
3. Ruturaj Gaikwad
4. Riyan Parag
5. Dhruv Jurel (wk)
6. Rinku Singh
7. Washington Sundar
8. Avesh Khan
9. Ravi Bishnoi
10. Khaleel Ahmed
11. Mukesh Kumar

Finally talking about bowling, the T20 World Cup traveling reserves will lead the bowling attack. While pace bowling shall be led by Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar, the spin department shall be led by Ravi Bishnoi. It’s a good bowling setup for the Indian team, and thankfully, two of these four, Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi can also bat well.

ALSO READ: Team India Strongest T20 Playing 11 without Rohit and Kohli

India vs Zim 2024 Official T20 Squad for Zimbabwe Team

Batters: Dion Myers, Innocent Kaia, Milton Shumba & Tadiwanashe Marumani

Wks: Clive Madande

All-rounders: Antum Naqvi, Brandon Mavuta, Brian Bennett, Faraz Akram, Johnathan Campbell, Luke Jongwe, Sikandar Raza (c) & Wessly Madhevere

Bowlers: Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara & Wellington Masakadza

Zimbabwe Best Playing 11 vs India:

Coming to Zimbabwe’s playing 11, the team will be led by Sikandar Raza, who is their MVP in T20Is. The Team will have some headaches in choosing the top-order, but should most likely select Tadiwanashe Murumani, Innocent Kaia, and Brian Bennett for the top-order. It’s a good setup for the team, which will see the All-rounders and bowlers following them. The team will also be excited about the return of Tendai Chatara.

India vs Zim 2024 1st T20 Best Playing 11 for Zimbabwe:

1. Tadiwanashe Marumani
2. Innocent Kaia
3. Brian Bennett
4. Sikandar Raza (c)
5. Johnathan Campbell
6. Clive Madande (wk)
7. Wessly Madhevere
8. Luke Jongwe
9. Blessing Muzarabani
10. Tendai Chatara
11. Richard Ngarava

India vs Zimbabwe 2024 1st T20 Best Fantasy Playing 11:

Batters: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Riyan Parag

Wks: Clive Madande

All-rounders: Sikandar Raza, Abhishek Sharma & Washington Sundar

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar & Khaleel Ahmed

CVC Choice: Shubman Gill & Ravi Bishnoi

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 2024? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.