Shubman Gill announced India’s chosen batting lineup for the T20 matches against Zimbabwe, which are set to begin on Friday, July 6. This series comes right after India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, and the Indian captain is guiding a new, younger team through a series of five T20 matches. He also confirmed that he will be the opening batsman for India in the first game on Saturday.
Speaking at his pre-match conference, Shubhman Gill said that he would be opening the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma, who is set to play his debut match for Team India, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad at number 3.
Shubhman Gill said, “I think Rohit Bhai was an opener, and Virat Bhai also opened in this World Cup” . “I have also opened in T20s. So, I think I will want to open in T20Is. Abhishek Sharma will open with me, and Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat in the No. 3 position.”
The two batting legends of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, opened the innings for team India throughout the World Cup, leaving young Yashasvi Jaiswal to warm the bench throughout the World Cup. However, both of these legends signed off from the T-20 format as soon as India won the World Cup.
Shubhman Gill also spoke about matching the bar set by Kohli and Rohit; however, he feels that every individual has their own goal.
“Pressure and expectations will always remain. But what Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai have achieved, if I look to achieve that or reach that, will be very difficult for me. Every player has his own goal that he wants to reach. That is the pressure. If you want to reach where other people have, then you have more pressure,” Gill added.
Team India’s playing 11 (probable): India probable XI: Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar.
Zimbabwe playing 11 (probable): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza (c), Johnathan Campbell, Antum Naqvi, Clive Madande (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Faraz Akram, Wellington Masakadza, and Blessing Muzarabani.
