Team India’s jersey only has one star. Photo: BCCI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India are facing Zimbabwe in first T20I of the series
- India’s jersey only has one star
- Shubman Gill is leading the Men in Blue
India and Zimbabwe are squaring off in the first T20I of the five-match series against Zimbabwe. With the first-choice players being rested, the visitors have a second-string squad at the helm and Shubman Gill is leading the Men in Blue. India’s squad has few new faces while others who have played for India don’t have much experience.
India made their return to the field just a week after they won the 2024 T20 World Cup. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the Men in Blue defeated South Africa in the final to lift the trophy for the second time.
India’s jersey only has one star despite them winning the T20 World Cup twice. The obvious reason behind the T20 jersey not having two stars is the timing of India’s second T20 WC win. The Rohit Sharma-led side won their second T20 WC late night on June 30. Team India‘s jersey for the Zimbabwe tour was ready by then.
Also, India unveiled their new jersey with two stars after the WC-winning team landed in India. The Zimbabwe-bound players had already landed in the African nation before the members of the T20 World Cup-winning team returned to India.
India’s jersey for Sri Lanka will have two stars to celebrate the twin T20 World Cup wins. India are scheduled to tour SL for 3 ODIs and as many T20Is after the Zimbabwe tour.
Zimbabwe score 115/9
Zimbabwe have put on a total of 115/9 on the board. Ravi Bishnoi shone with the ball and scalped four wickets. He bowled 2 maiden overs in his four-over spell. Washington Sundar scalped two wickets while Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan scalped a wicket each.
India were off to a horror start in the chase and lose four wickets quickly. Abhishek Sharka failed to open his account and departed for a four-ball duck. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who batted at number 3, scored 7 while debutant Riyan Parag scored 2.
Rinku Singh had a rare failure in international cricket and he was dismissed for a two-ball duck. Dhruv Jurel, who was also handed his debut cap, scored 6 off 14 balls.
Shubman Gill is holding one end and India have their hopes pinned on him. India were 5 down for 43 after 10 overs, with Shubman batting on 27 off as many balls.
He has been joined by Washington Sundar, who is a proper all-rounder. They have to make sure that they bat as long as possible to propel India to a win.
