India will tour Zimbabwe for three T20 Internationals on July 23, 25 and 27, with all matches scheduled to be played in Harare.
The selectors handed maiden national call-ups to fast bowlers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma after both impressed with Gujarat Titans during the Indian Premier League 2026 season. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey also earned his first T20I selection after recently making his One-Day International debut against Afghanistan.
Defending the selection policy, a source familiar with the selection committee's discussions said Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma are among India's fastest bowlers and deserve opportunities against opposition such as Zimbabwe. The source questioned where the selectors would test young pacers if not in such a series.
Samson's place in the squad was taken by wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, who enjoyed an impressive campaign for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2026. The right-handed batter was also a member of India's squad for the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Samson had already lost his place in the playing eleven during the ongoing five-match T20I series against England after being replaced by teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the second match at Manchester. The inclusion made the left-handed batter India's youngest-ever international cricketer, surpassing the record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter also failed to strengthen his case for selection after registering three consecutive disappointing performances, including two against Ireland and one in the opening T20I against England at Durham, resulting in his removal from the side.
Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India did not officially specify the reason behind Samson's omission, he was among six players currently touring England who failed to secure places in the Zimbabwe squad.
Responding to criticism, a senior source stated that Samson has been rested because he is already part of India's squad for the Asian Games in September. The source added that there was little purpose in including a senior player who was unlikely to feature in the Zimbabwe series.
Apart from Samson, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi were also left out of the T20I squad.
Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar remain part of India's One-Day International squad for the upcoming England series, explaining their absence from the Zimbabwe tour.
Lower-order batter Rinku Singh and express fast bowler Mayank Yadav returned to the T20I squad. Mayank earned his first national selection since 2024 after playing four matches for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2026. Although he did not claim a wicket, he conceded runs at an economy rate of 11.37.
Meanwhile, the selectors also made a change to India's One-Day International squad for the England series. Injured all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was replaced by Shivam Dube.
India's T20I squad for Zimbabwe comprises Shreyas Iyer as captain, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma as vice-captain, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav and Prabhsimran Singh.
India's updated One-Day International squad for the England series includes Shubman Gill as captain, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Shivam Dube.
The squad announcements reflect the selectors' determination to accelerate India's generational transition by rewarding emerging performers while continuing to manage the workload and availability of established international players across multiple assignments.
About The Author
.jpg)
Comment List