IND vs ZIM 1st T20I: Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma Among 3 Debuts For India in Series Opener

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Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma among three players handed debuts as India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field against Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Saturday (July 6).

Parag and Abhishek earned their much-deserved call ups to the national team following a terrific IPL 2024, where the duo piled on runs for their respective franchises.

The 23-year-old Abhishek scored 484 runs during Sunrisers Hyderabad's run to the final. He was the highest six-hitter with 42 sixes in the tournament. The 22-year-old Parag, on the other hand, scored 573 runs for Rajasthan Royals. Parag received his India cap from his father.

Among the three debutants, Parag and Abhishek will play for the senior team in any format for the first time, while wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who has already played in Tests, will play in his first T20I for India.

With three seniors from the T20 World Cup-winning side calling time on their T20I career, it presents a great opportunity for the players on the Zimbabwe tour to make a good impression and make their spots permanent.

Jurel was expected to play after it was announced Sanju Samson would join the squad after the first 2 T20Is along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube. In the trio's absence, Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana and Jitesh Sharma were drafted into the 15-member squad.

After opting to field first, Gill said: "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, the Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza 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 vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Playing 11

India XI: Shubman Gill (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed.

Zimbabwe XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (captain), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wicketkeeper), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.