New Delhi. Leaving behind the disappointing defeats in the T20 series against Ireland and England, the Indian team has now reached Zimbabwe tour with new enthusiasm and under the leadership of new captain Shreyas Iyer. The much-awaited three-match T20 series between India and Zimbabwe is going to start from July 23. While on one hand the entire Indian team will try hard to get back on the winning track through this tour, on the other hand the eyes of Indian cricket fans will be fixed on the young opening batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Vaibhav, who remained silent on the England tour, not only has a great opportunity to cement his place on Zimbabwe’s soil, but he is also on the threshold of making a historic world record in T20 cricket, breaking which has been a dream even for the greats.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has a golden opportunity to make the most special and explosive world record of T20 cricket in this three-match series. If Vaibhav is successful in hitting a total of 11 sixes in this series against Zimbabwe, then he will become the world number-1 batsman to complete the fastest 150 sixes in the history of T20 cricket. If we look at the current figures, Vaibhav has hit 139 sixes in his 37 T20 innings played so far. If he hits 11 sixes in the next three matches, he will achieve the magical figure of 150 sixes in just 40 or less innings.
Currently, this world record is recorded in the name of UAE’s explosive batsman Mohammad Wasim, who achieved the feat of hitting 150 T20 sixes in 66 innings. In this list, West Indies’ dreaded opening batsman Evin Lewis is at second place, while Chris Gayle, who is called ‘Universe Boss’, is at third place. If Vaibhav is successful in hitting 11 sixes, then he will leave these three giants behind in one stroke and emerge as the new ‘Sixer King’ of T20 cricket.
A chance to prove itself after England’s failure
Recently, during the England tour, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s bat could not show the kind of fireworks for which he is known. After the failure in that period, cricket experts had raised questions on his consistent performance. However, the selectors and the team management have maintained their unwavering faith in him and have included him in the team as the main opening batsman for the Zimbabwe tour. The fast and bouncy pitches of Harare are considered suitable for Vaibhav’s aggressive batting style. Along with Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, Vaibhav will be desperate to give an aggressive start to the Indian team. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack can prove to be a great way for them to return to form and permanently cement their place in the team.
Know when and where the matches will be played
This three-match T20 series between India and Zimbabwe will be completely held at Harare Sports Club. All three matches will start at 4:30 pm Indian time. The first T20 match of the series will be played on July 23, where the Indian team would like to start the series with a win. Just two days after this, i.e. on 25th July, the second T20 match of the series will be played. At the same time, the third and final match of the series will be played on the same ground on 26th July. These three matches, to be held in a short span of three days, will prove to be the biggest platform for the youth to prove their talent.
Command on the shoulders of Shreyas Iyer, Indian team adorned with youth
After the failures in Ireland and England, the Indian selectors have fielded a balanced mix of experience and young talent on this tour. The captaincy of the team has been handed over to reliable middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer, while aggressive batsman Tilak Verma has been given the responsibility of vice-captain.
Ishan Kishan and Prabhsimran Singh have been included in the Indian squad to handle the responsibility of wicketkeeping. To strengthen the batting department, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey and Suryansh Shedge are present along with Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Harsh Dubey is ready to make his impact in the role of all-rounder.
Talking about the bowling attack, the command of the spin department will be in the hands of Ravi Bishnoi. Talented bowlers like Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav have been included in the team to handle the fast bowling. Mayank Yadav’s stormy pace and Ravi Bishnoi’s spin will pose a big challenge to Zimbabwe’s batsmen.
Complete Indian team for Zimbabwe tour
Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav and Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper).
