IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi And Abhishek Sharma To Open, Rinku Singh Returns

By Samira Vishwas On Jul 23, 2026

IND vs ZIM: A wounded India will take on a gloomy Zimbabwean side in the first of the three T20Is on July 23, Thursday at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The Men in Blue are in a desperate need to turn things around after winning only one away match since lifting the T20 World Cup trophy under Suryakumar Yadav earlier this month.

IND vs ZIM: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back in the XI in Sanju Samson’s absence

For Team India, it’s yet another chance for the youngsters to showcase their talent on the biggest stage. With Sanju Samson rested, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to come into the fore and open the batting with Abhishek Sharma. Rinku Singh could get a go as a pure batter, given India have struggled for fireworks in the death overs. Mayank Yadav, who made his international debut two years ago may return, with Prince Yadav in the line-up alongside one of Ashok Sharma or Yash Thakur having an opportunity to slot into the XI. With Ravi Bishnoi the only specialist spinner but Harsh Dubey as a spin-bowling all-rounder in the squad, it will be interesting to see who gets the nod.

India’s predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Ashok Sharma/Yash Thakur, Harsh Dubey/Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav.

IND vs ZIM: When did India and Zimbabwe last play in a T20I?

Having played 14 T20Is against India, Zimbabwe have beaten the Men in Blue only thrice, with the latest one coming in July 2024, a month after India’s T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies. Their last meeting came during the T20 World Cup game earlier this year at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium or Chepauk in Chennai. The Men in Blue amassed 256/4 in their stipulated 20 overs, thanks to Abhishek Sharma (55) and Hardik Pandya (50*). In response, the tourists reached 187/6 in their 120 deliveries, spearheaded by Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97.

As for Zimbabwe, they are also coming off a T20I series defeat to Bangladesh but will still be upbeat, given India failed to beat Ireland and England even once in their seven completed meetings recently. With Zimbabwe having some hugely talented cricketers, they will look to topple the tourists.