When they play Zimbabwe in the fourth T20 International here on Saturday, a number of young Indian players who are returning to their best will be keen to win the series and start a new chapter in the history of the shortest format.
The Shubman Gill-led team found its groove in the second and third games to establish a commanding 2-1 lead with convincing victories, following an unexpected loss in the opening encounter.
A series victory against Zimbabwe will not be highly regarded in the current cricket hierarchy, but it will undoubtedly inspire some young players who are eager to lead the team after some of the game’s greatest players depart.
Nobody makes a stronger case for that scenario than Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar.
Washington is vying for the spin-all-rounder position after Ravindra Jadeja’s retirement from T20 Internationals. The Tamil Nadu player, who took six wickets at a good economy of 4.5 against Zimbabwe, showed some encouraging signs.
Washington’s name will now have to be given significant consideration by the selectors when they gather together to choose the Indian team for the forthcoming white-ball tour to Sri Lanka.
With the 24-year-old, this Indian team now boasts a bowler who can play both inside and outside the Power Play, as well as a useful lower-order batsman who can even move up the order when necessary.
In this second T20 International, Abhishek hammered home a century off 47 balls, highlighting the optimism surrounding him as a future star for India.
In the ultra-abridged version, India will no longer have access to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal is the clear favorite to take one of those top-order spots.
With a crushing blow against the African team here tomorrow, Abhishek will look to strengthen his case for the second open top-order position, which is being contested by Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, two more formidable candidates.
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However, this does not mean that some of the more well-known figures, including Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, have nothing to gain from this series.
They became close to the team after participating in India’s victory procession in Mumbai following their historic run in the T20 World Cup, where they played a small or no part.
Dube and Samson will therefore have the chance to maintain their position as the players who will lead India into the future by putting in some excellent work in the series’ final two games.
The performance of their bowlers, especially leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, whose googlies were impossible for the home hitters to read, would also impress the Indian management.
Similar to Washington and pacer Avesh Khan, who has been a fiery opponent in this series, Bishnoi has six wickets.
After receiving a break in the previous game, Mukesh Kumar may replace left-arm pacer Avesh Khan; however, despite his four wickets, the pacer will undoubtedly prefer to be more frugal.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has fallen a few spots after defeating India in the opening game.
Their lineup has included lonesome moments such as fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani’s scorching spells and Dion Myers’ well-paced fifty.
However, in order to effectively fight this Indian force, which is now functioning at a higher level, they must harness them.
Teams:
India: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Akram Faraz, Bennett Brian, Campbell Johnathan, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Innocent, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masakadza Wellington, Mavuta Brandon, Muzarabani Blessing, Myers Dion, Naqvi Antum, Ngarava Richard, Shumba Milton.
Match starts at 4.30 PM IST.
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