The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled India’s squad for the upcoming five-game T20I series against Zimbabwe with many young, uncapped players all set to make their debut. As the senior players will return from the T20 World Cup 2024, the upcoming five-match series offers a great opportunity for the selection committee to test young players for the upcoming season. The squad includes a few players picked in the Indian men’s senior for the first.
Here in this article, we’ll take a look at the four players who will eye to make India debut during the tour of Zimbabwe in July 2024.
Which players have been selected for the first time in T20Is?
Riyan Parag
Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag shut down all his critics with a brilliant domestic season followed with a dream IPL season. In the 2024 edition of the IPL, Parag was promoted to number 4 for the Rajasthan Royals and grabbed this opportunity with both hands. Parag smashed 573 runs at an average of 52.09 at a strike rate of 149.22. These performances ensured he was picked up for the tour of Zimbabwe.
Nitish Reddy Kumar
Andhra Pradesh all-rounder Nitish Reddy Kumar was named the Emerging Player of IPL 2024. Throughout the 2024 season, the 21-year-old showcased his immense talent in all three departments and stepped up in difficult situations like his 64-run knock against Punjab Kings and an unbeaten 76 against Delhi Capitals. His 303 runs in 13 matches and three wickets, pushed the selectors to pick him for the T20Is series.
Tushar Deshpande
After two great IPL seasons with the Chennai Super Kings, Tushar Deshpande was picked for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Deshpande had a struggling start to his career in the IPL before moving to CSK. Here in the Yellow Army, Deshpande immensely improved and picked up 38 wickets over the 2023 and 2024. The Mumbai bowler has also consistently performed in domestic cricket as well, which strengthened his selection for this series.
Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma, the Punjab born cricketer, has been one of the picks of IPL 2024. The 23-year-old, who smashed the ball from the start of the inning, ended up amassing 484 runs in 16 innings at a brilliant strike rate of 204. 21 and three fifties to his name. In the bowling side of the things, he scalped two wickets while conceding 51 runs at an economy of 7.28.