No Sanju Samson As India Name T20I Squad for Zimbabwe Series, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Included
India's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe in July 2026 has been announced, with a significant focus on youth. Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15 has been included while veteran Sanju Samson has been excluded. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, with Tilak Varma as his deputy for the series at Harare Sports Club.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Men's Selection Committee today, July 6, 2026, announced 15-member squad set to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match T20 International series later this month. A significant talking point is the inclusion of Bihar's prodigious left-handed batter, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from the squad.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, with Tilak Varma named as his deputy. The series, scheduled entirely at the Harare Sports Club, will provide a crucial platform for these emerging cricketers to showcase their capabilities on the international stage. The squad features a mix of exciting batting prospects, versatile all-rounders, and promising fast bowlers, indicating a forward-looking approach by the selectors.
Squad Highlights and Key Inclusions
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15 years, 3 months, and 9 days as of today, July 6, 2026, is undoubtedly the most exciting face in the squad. The left-handed batter from Bihar recently made headlines by becoming the youngest Indian to debut in a T20 International match on July 4, 2026. His inclusion highlights a rapid rise through the ranks, having already impressed in domestic cricket and the IPL. Rahul Dravid's Son, Anvay Scores 87 in India U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 Match.
India Announce Squad For Zimbabwe T20Is
Joining Sooryavanshi are other promising youngsters like Suryansh Shedge, who is 23 years, 5 months, and 7 days old, and Harsh Dubey, set to turn 24 during the series on July 23, 2026. Suryansh Shedge also recently debuted for India in a T20I against Ireland in June 2026, while Prince Yadav, 24 years, 6 months, and 24 days old, also featured in that series. These selections underscore the committee's focus on building a strong talent pipeline for the future.
The squad also includes established IPL performers like Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, and Varun Chakaravarathy, who will provide experience and stability to the young lineup. Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma, both renowned for their pace, will spearhead the fast-bowling attack. Prabhsimran Singh, another wicketkeeper-batter, has also been included, bringing his aggressive batting style to the fore. Did You Know Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Also Made His IPL Debut Replacing Sanju Samson Just Like For India?
Notable Omission: Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson's exclusion is a significant talking point. Despite his experience and fan following, the selectors have opted to look beyond him for this particular series, choosing to give opportunities to Ishan Kishan and Prabhsimran Singh as wicketkeeping options. This decision might be indicative of the selection committee's long-term vision for the T20I format, prioritizing youth and players who have demonstrated strong recent form in domestic circuits and the Indian Premier League.
India's Squad for Zimbabwe T20Is:
| Role | Player Name |
|---|---|
| Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Vice-Captain | Tilak Varma |
| Batsmen | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh |
| Wicketkeepers | Ishan Kishan, Prabhsimran Singh |
| All-Rounders | Shivam Dube, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav |
| Spinners | Varun Chakaravarathy |
| Fast Bowlers | Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav |
Tour Schedule:
All matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club, Harare.
| Match | Day | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Thursday | July 23, 2026 | Harare Sports Club |
| 2nd T20I | Saturday | July 25, 2026 | Harare Sports Club |
| 3rd T20I | Sunday | July 26, 2026 | Harare Sports Club |
Where to Watch (India):
Cricket fans in India can catch all the action live on both television and digital platforms. FanCode will offer exclusive live streaming of all three T20Is. For television viewers, Zee Entertainment's newly launched Unite8 Sports channels will provide comprehensive coverage. Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD will broadcast the series in Hindi, while Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD will offer English-language commentary.
Specific broadcasting details for regions outside India for this bilateral series are yet to be confirmed, but fans can typically find updates closer to the series start date from local sports broadcasters.
This series against Zimbabwe presents an exciting opportunity for India's next generation of cricketers to make their mark and lay a claim for future national team selections, signaling a robust development pathway for Indian cricket.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2026 07:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).