India vs Zimbabwe: Three major takeaways as India clinch series 4-1 - Sanju Samson ahead of Rishabh Pant?

Add as a preferred source on Google

India vs Zimbabwe: After losing the first T20I, India bounced back to win the five-match T20I series by a 4-1 margin under the leadership of Shubman Gill against hosts Zimbabwe in Harare. The final T20I match on Sunday saw India beat Zimbabwe by 42 runs.

Eyes were on the T20I series held immediately after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announcing their retirements from the format, there are three immediate openings in the lineup. The absence of seniors Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant also gave perfect opportunity to the youngsters to audition for the spots.

India will now lock horns in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from July 27. Let's have a look at three major takeaways which the selectors might keep in mind when they sit to select the India squad for the Sri Lanka T20Is.

Shubman Gill-Yashasvi Jaiswal opening pair: Abhishek Sharma came out to open with captain Shubman Gill as Yashasvi Jaiswal's arrival in Zimbabwe was delayed due to hurricane Beryl. The Indian team which won the T20 World Cup 2024 was stuck in the hurricane and landed in India four days after winning the cup.

Jaiswal immediately replaced Abhishek Sharma at the top from the third T20I, and his whirlwind knocks answered why he was picked in India's T20 World Cup squad ahead of Gill. He scored 36 off 27, 93 not out off 53, and 12 off five in his three outings.

Abhishek Sharma smashed a hundred in the second T20I but could not do much in his other three outings on the tour. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill - the crowned 'prince' of Indian cricket - look all set to open for India in T20Is for years.

Sanju Samson in line to become a T20I regular: The Rajasthan Royals captain did not get to play a single match in the T20 World Cup 2024 as Rishabh Pant played ahead of him. Pant scored 171 runs at an average of 24.42 and a strike rate of 127.61. His T20I performances have always been in question, and his failure in the knockout games at T20 World Cup further dented his reputation.

Pant might still be backed for the match-winner tag he carries with him, but Sanju Samson has left nothing to luck going forward. A 45-ball 58 in the fifth T20I has almost sealed his spot as a wicketkeeper-batter for Sri Lanka T20Is.

Gautam Gambhir has talked a lot of good things about Sanju Samson in the past, and is expected to back the Kerala star after being appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Dhruv Jurel was given an opportunity in his absence in the first two T20Is. He scored six off 14 in the first game, and did not get an opportunity to bat in the second.

Depth in all-rounders' department: Ravindra Jadeja's departure from the T20Is should not come across as a big headache for India. The India vs Zimbabwe series proved that the bench strength of all-rounders is in a healthy condition. Axar Patel is already there, and the likes of Washington Sundar, Shvam Dube and Abhishek Sharma gave India the remaining assurance.

Sundar finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker (8 at an average 11.62). Abhishek chipped in with two wickets, while Dube also picked three wickets from his three outings. All these three batters have proper batting potentials. India's stock of all-rounders is rich and diverse in nature.