Amid the return of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, allrounder Shivam Dube, and batter Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad for the remaining matches of the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, things have become difficult for skipper Shubman Gill and interim VS Laxman.
The main concern for both of them now will be if Shubman Gill be harsh on centurion Abhishek Sharma or compromise his own spot, as Yashasvi Jaiswal is back as an opener for India.
For Laxman and Gill, sliding down Jaiswal is more challenging, considering his handsome strike rate of 161 plus in 17 T20I matches, including a hundred and four half-centuries.
On the other side, quashing Sharma from the top order – scored his maiden century in just 46 deliveries – does not appear to a be smart move.
Meanwhile, Gill had already confirmed he would open for India following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Apart from Jaiswal, Shivam Dube and Samju Samson are expected to walk into the side in place of Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel for the rest of three T20I matches against Zimbabwe.
In the first T20I on 6 July, Zimbabwe defeated India by 13 runs, while India thrashed Zimbabwe by a whopping 100 runs on 7 July.
The third T20I between India and Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in Harare will get underway at 1 pm local time and 4:30 pm IST.
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Zimbabwe: Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe/Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara
With agency inputs.
