Sooryavanshi in, Samson out. Rinku back as BCCI announces squad for Zimbabwe T20Is
India tour of Zimbabwe: Shreyas Iyer will lead a new-look squad for the three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, starting July 23. While Rinku Singh is back, India have left out Sanju Samson.
In a big call, the senior selection committee has dropped Sanju Samson from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, starting July 23. While the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has not clarified whether Samson has been rested, the decision comes just days after he was dropped from the playing XI for the ongoing T20I series against England to accommodate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Samson, who won the Player of the Tournament award during India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign earlier this year, endured a lean run on the ongoing tour of the UK. Across three T20Is in Ireland and England, he managed just six runs.
India squad for Zimbabwe T20I series: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
Samson came under pressure with 15-year-old Sooryavanshi waiting in the wings. Eventually, the team management dropped him for the second T20I in Manchester, handing Sooryavanshi his maiden India cap.
It is an interesting call as India have picked Punjab Kings star Prabhsimran Singh as their second wicketkeeper-batter in the squad.
The rest of the top order has retained its place, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma all finding spots in the squad led by Shreyas Iyer.
India have resisted the temptation to send a second-string side to Zimbabwe, considering the game time needed for a team in transition under Iyer.
SQUAD HIGHLIGHTS
- No Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh picked as second wicketkeeper.
- Shreyas Iyer to lead a nearly full-strength team.
- Rinku SIngh back. Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge retain spots.
- Fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana rested.
- No place for Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar.
- Mayank Yadav returns, Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma handed call-ups.
RINKU SINGH BACK
In welcome news, Kolkata Knight Riders star Rinku Singh has returned to the squad for the first time since the T20 World Cup earlier this year. He was dropped from the T20I squad for the UK tour along with Suryakumar Yadav.
Rinku has endured a couple of lean years with the bat. He has scored just 115 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.75 in T20Is in 2026. However, he showed glimpses of returning to form towards the end of the IPL 2026 campaign with KKR.
Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, does not yet appear ready to return to international cricket after missing the UK tour due to injury. The all-rounder recently shifted base to Bengaluru to continue his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in the south Indian city.
Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge have retained their places as the fast-bowling all-rounders in the side, while Nitish Kumar Reddy misses out due to injury.
ARSHDEEP SINGH, HARSHIT RANA RESTED
As for the pace-bowling unit, the selectors have rested Arshdeep Singh while handing a maiden call-up to tearaway pacer Ashok Sharma. The 24-year-old fast bowler from Rajasthan played six matches for Gujarat Titans in his maiden IPL season in 2026, picking up six wickets. He is known for consistently bowling thunderbolts in excess of 150 kph.
Along with Ashok, Prince Yadav, who has impressed in his maiden season at the highest level, express pacer Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur have also been picked.
Harshit Rana, who recently recovered from an injury setback, has presumably been rested.
Varun Chakravarthy, meanwhile, will lead the spin-bowling attack alongside left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have been left out for the assignment in Zimbabwe.
India will play three more T20Is in England before heading to Zimbabwe.
ZIMBABWE vs INDIA T20I SCHEDULE
- 1st T20I in Harare on Thursday, July 23
- 2nd T20I in Harare on Saturday, July 25
- 3rd T20I in Harare on Sunday, July 26
In a big call, the senior selection committee has dropped Sanju Samson from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, starting July 23. While the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has not clarified whether Samson has been rested, the decision comes just days after he was dropped from the playing XI for the ongoing T20I series against England to accommodate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Samson, who won the Player of the Tournament award during India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign earlier this year, endured a lean run on the ongoing tour of the UK. Across three T20Is in Ireland and England, he managed just six runs.
India squad for Zimbabwe T20I series: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
Samson came under pressure with 15-year-old Sooryavanshi waiting in the wings. Eventually, the team management dropped him for the second T20I in Manchester, handing Sooryavanshi his maiden India cap.
It is an interesting call as India have picked Punjab Kings star Prabhsimran Singh as their second wicketkeeper-batter in the squad.
The rest of the top order has retained its place, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma all finding spots in the squad led by Shreyas Iyer.
India have resisted the temptation to send a second-string side to Zimbabwe, considering the game time needed for a team in transition under Iyer.
SQUAD HIGHLIGHTS
- No Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh picked as second wicketkeeper.
- Shreyas Iyer to lead a nearly full-strength team.
- Rinku SIngh back. Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge retain spots.
- Fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana rested.
- No place for Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar.
- Mayank Yadav returns, Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma handed call-ups.
RINKU SINGH BACK
In welcome news, Kolkata Knight Riders star Rinku Singh has returned to the squad for the first time since the T20 World Cup earlier this year. He was dropped from the T20I squad for the UK tour along with Suryakumar Yadav.
Rinku has endured a couple of lean years with the bat. He has scored just 115 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.75 in T20Is in 2026. However, he showed glimpses of returning to form towards the end of the IPL 2026 campaign with KKR.
Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, does not yet appear ready to return to international cricket after missing the UK tour due to injury. The all-rounder recently shifted base to Bengaluru to continue his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in the south Indian city.
Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge have retained their places as the fast-bowling all-rounders in the side, while Nitish Kumar Reddy misses out due to injury.
ARSHDEEP SINGH, HARSHIT RANA RESTED
As for the pace-bowling unit, the selectors have rested Arshdeep Singh while handing a maiden call-up to tearaway pacer Ashok Sharma. The 24-year-old fast bowler from Rajasthan played six matches for Gujarat Titans in his maiden IPL season in 2026, picking up six wickets. He is known for consistently bowling thunderbolts in excess of 150 kph.
Along with Ashok, Prince Yadav, who has impressed in his maiden season at the highest level, express pacer Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur have also been picked.
Harshit Rana, who recently recovered from an injury setback, has presumably been rested.
Varun Chakravarthy, meanwhile, will lead the spin-bowling attack alongside left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have been left out for the assignment in Zimbabwe.
India will play three more T20Is in England before heading to Zimbabwe.
ZIMBABWE vs INDIA T20I SCHEDULE
- 1st T20I in Harare on Thursday, July 23
- 2nd T20I in Harare on Saturday, July 25
- 3rd T20I in Harare on Sunday, July 26
