BCCI Names India Squad for Zimbabwe T20Is; Sooryavanshi Earns Call-Up, Samson Misses Out

The BCCI on Monday announced India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, with selectors making several notable changes.

Sanju Samson has been left out, while 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi retains his place and Rinku Singh returns to the national setup.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee did not specify whether Samson has been rested or dropped. The wicketkeeper-batter’s omission comes days after he was left out of the playing XI for the ongoing T20I series against England to make way for Sooryavanshi.

Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, struggled for runs on the UK tour, scoring just six runs across three T20Is against Ireland and England.

Shreyas Iyer will captain the side in Zimbabwe, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. The selectors have opted for Prabhsimran Singh as the second wicketkeeper alongside Ishan Kishan, while Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge have retained their places as the pace-bowling all-rounders.

The batting unit remains largely unchanged, featuring Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Sooryavanshi, indicating the selectors’ preference to continue with a largely full-strength squad despite the Zimbabwe assignment.

Rinku Singh makes his return to the T20I squad for the first time since India’s T20 World Cup triumph. The left-hander had been omitted for the UK tour after an inconsistent run in the format but impressed towards the end of the IPL 2026 season with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Hardik Pandya has not yet recovered sufficiently to return to international cricket. The all-rounder continues his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after missing the ongoing UK tour due to injury. Nitish Kumar Reddy also remains unavailable because of injury.

The selectors have rested frontline pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, while Rajasthan fast bowler Ashok Sharma has earned his maiden India call-up after an impressive IPL debut season with Gujarat Titans. Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur complete the pace attack.

Varun Chakravarthy will spearhead the spin department alongside left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, with Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar missing out on selection.

India squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav.

India will complete the remainder of the T20I series in England before travelling to Harare for the Zimbabwe series, scheduled from July 23 to 26.

Zimbabwe vs India T20I schedule

• 1st T20I:July 23, Harare
• 2nd T20I: July 25, Harare
• 3rd T20I: July 26, Harare