On Monday, June 24, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 15-member squad for India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting on July 6. The selection committee has opted for a youthful lineup, appointing Shubman Gill as the captain for the first time. This move marks a significant transition phase for the team, as no senior players are included in the squad.
New Faces in the Spotlight
Among the newcomers, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Tushar Deshpande, and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been awarded their maiden call-ups. Notably, apart from Sanju Samson, no member from the current T20 World Cup main squad has been included. The complete squad for the Zimbabwe tour is as follows:
India:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Abhishek Sharma
- Rinku Singh
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
- Nitish Reddy
- Riyan Parag
- Washington Sundar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Avesh Khan
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Mukesh Kumar
- Tushar Deshpande
Social Media Reactions
The announcement sparked widespread reactions on social media. Fans expressed a mix of excitement and disappointment, with many celebrating Gill’s elevation to captaincy while others voiced their support for IPL performers who were overlooked by the selectors.
Sanju Samson’s name trended prominently, as his fan base was vocal about the decision to appoint Gill over Samson, who had a commendable IPL season as a captain.
Transition Phase
This squad selection underscores a shift towards nurturing young talent, signaling a new era for Indian cricket. As the team prepares to face Zimbabwe, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill and the emerging players to see how they seize this opportunity on the international stage.