Shubman Gill Wins Toss for Third Straight T20I as India Opts to Bat Against Zimbabwe in Harare
India’s captain, Shubman Gill, won the toss for the third consecutive T20I and chose to bat first against Zimbabwe in Harare. The Indian team welcomed their T20 World Cup-winning trio – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube – into the playing XI, leaving out B Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Additionally, left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed replaced Mukesh Sharma.
This lineup provided India with significant batting depth, with Washington Sundar positioned at No. 8. Consequently, two of the top four batsmen – Jaiswal, Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad – would need to adjust their positions to Nos. 3 and 4. India opted for four specialist bowlers, with Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube likely to share the remaining four overs.
Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, mentioned that his team preferred to bowl first. Zimbabwe made two changes, bringing in a fit-again Richard Ngarava for Luke Jongwe and replacing opener Innocent Kaia, who was out with a split webbing, with Tadiwanashe Marumani.
“The pitch is not as flat as the second game and not as moist as the first game,” Raza noted during the toss.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 after Zimbabwe secured a win in the first game, followed by India’s dominant 100-run victory in the second match.
**Zimbabwe Playing XI:**
1. Tadiwanashe Marumani
2. Wessly Madhevere
3. Brian Bennett
4. Dion Myers
5. Sikandar Raza (capt)
6. Johnathan Campbell
7. Clive Madande (wk)
8. Wellington Masakadza
9. Richard Ngarava
10. Blessing Muzarabani
11. Tendai Chatara
**India Playing XI:**
1. Shubman Gill (capt)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Abhishek Sharma
4. Ruturaj Gaikwad
5. Sanju Samson (wk)
6. Shivam Dube
7. Rinku Singh
8. Washington Sundar
9. Ravi Bishnoi
10. Avesh Khan
11. Khaleel Ahmed