Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Maiden India Call-Up
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, with 19-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earning his maiden national call-up. The series is set to commence on July 9 in Harare.
Squad Features Young Talent
Sooryavanshi, who has been in scintillating form in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), was rewarded for his consistent performances. The left-handed opener has scored 1,200 runs in T20 cricket at a strike rate of 145, including two centuries and eight fifties. BCCI secretary Jay Shah said, "Vaibhav has shown exceptional talent and temperament. We believe he has the potential to excel at the international level."
Experienced Core Retained
The squad also sees the return of senior players like Shubman Gill, who will captain the side, and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Pacers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan provide experience in the bowling department. The team includes several IPL performers such as Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh.
Series Schedule and Significance
The three T20Is will be played on July 9, 11, and 13 at the Harare Sports Club. This series is part of India's preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026. Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, will be a tough opponent on home soil.
Full Squad
India's T20I squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Tushar Deshpande.
