Cricket

Avesh Khan Lauds Shubman Gill's Leadership as "Bowler's Captain"India's fast bowler Avesh Khan has heaped praise on captain Shubman Gill, describing him as a "bowler's captain" who provides immense support and freedom to his bowlers. Khan's comments come after India's 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I match in Harare, where he played a crucial role with figures of 2 for 39.Gill's leadership style has been instrumental in Khan's success in the series, with the captain granting him the autonomy to set his own fields and execute his plans. "Shubman Gill is a bowler's captain. He gives a lot of freedom to the bowlers. He gives them a chance to set their own fields. He always backs you if you are executing your plans," Khan said in a post-match interview with Sony Sports.Khan also highlighted Gill's ability to intervene with his own plans when necessary, providing valuable guidance and support. "If things go slightly awry and you get hit, he brings his own plan and tells you what needs to be done. That always helps a lot. He has contributed to me getting one or two wickets," Khan added.Khan's praise for Gill's leadership is a testament to the positive and supportive environment he has created within the team. This has allowed Khan to thrive and showcase his skills, contributing significantly to India's success in the series.In addition to his leadership qualities, Gill has also impressed with his batting performances. In the third T20I, he top-scored with a 49-ball 66, setting a challenging target of 183 for Zimbabwe. His innings laid the foundation for India's victory and helped them take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.Khan's own performances have been equally impressive, with the fast bowler securing six wickets at an economy rate of 7.54 in the first three games. His best performance came in the second game, where he achieved figures of 3/15, contributing significantly to India's 100-run victory.With two more matches remaining in the series, India will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory. Khan's bowling and Gill's leadership will be crucial to their success, as they aim to continue their dominance over Zimbabwe.

India's young guns, led by skipper Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, put on a batting masterclass before the bowlers stepped up to secure a comfortable 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I in Harare.Gill, who has been in scintillating form throughout the series, once again led the charge with a fluent 66 off 49 deliveries. The right-hander struck seven boundaries and two sixes, setting the tone for India's innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal, making his T20I debut, also impressed with a brisk 36 off 27 balls, while Gaikwad chipped in with a valuable 49 off 28 deliveries.Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to contain India's aggressive batting, with Blessing Muzarabani being the only exception. The tall pacer extracted extra bounce from the pitch and finished with figures of 2/25.In response, Zimbabwe's chase got off to a shaky start as Avesh Khan removed opener Wessly Madhevere in the second over. The home team continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan sharing five wickets between them.Dion Myers provided some resistance with a gritty 65* off 49 balls, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Zimbabwe from falling short of the target. Clive Madande also contributed with a useful 37 off 26 deliveries, but the Indian bowlers maintained their discipline to restrict the hosts to 159/6.The victory gives India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with the next game scheduled for Saturday, July 13. The young Indian team has shown great resilience and adaptability throughout the series, and they will be confident of sealing the series in the upcoming matches.

India, led by Shubman Gill, elected to bat first in the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. The decision came after Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expressed his preference for bowling first, citing the pitch conditions.India made three changes to their lineup, welcoming back Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube, who were part of India's T20 World Cup-winning squad. They replaced B Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. Mukesh Sharma was also brought in for Khaleel Ahmed.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, made two changes. Richard Ngarava returned to the side in place of Luke Jongwe, while Tadiwanashe Marumani replaced the injured Innocent Kaia.The series is currently tied at 1-1, with Zimbabwe winning the first match and India dominating the second.

India's five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe has taken an exciting turn after the African nation's surprising victory in the opening match. However, India bounced back with a dominant 100-run win in the second match, thanks to Abhishek Sharma's six-filled century.Former Zimbabwe cricketer Hamilton Masakadza believes his team has the potential to upset India in the remaining three matches. He highlights the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and Zimbabwe's use of the format to develop young players. Masakadza also praises the talent of the young Indian team led by Shubman Gill, but notes that they are still hungry to prove themselves.Regarding Zimbabwe captain Sikander Raza, Masakadza commends his aggressive and positive approach. He believes Raza's leadership will inspire the team to put pressure on India and achieve positive results. Masakadza also emphasizes the importance of other teams touring Zimbabwe to provide their players with valuable experience.He expresses optimism about Zimbabwe's chances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, despite their recent failure to qualify. Masakadza acknowledges the team's shortcomings but believes they are learning from their mistakes and improving.Masakadza reflects on the decline of Zimbabwe cricket, attributing it to poor decision-making and a lack of experience. However, he is confident that the current group of players is on the right path to rectify these issues.He praises Indian batting sensation Rinku Singh for his power-hitting abilities and expects him to make a significant impact on the tour. Masakadza also acknowledges the contributions of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who recently retired from T20Is. He expresses gratitude for their memorable performances and looks forward to their continued presence in other formats.

India's young team, led by Shubman Gill, bounced back from their opening defeat in the T20I series against Zimbabwe with a resounding 100-run victory in the second match in Harare.The visitors posted a formidable 234 for 2, thanks to a blistering century from Abhishek Sharma (100 off 47) and a solid 77 not out from Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 off 47). Rinku Singh provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 48 off 22.Gill praised the efforts of Sharma and Gaikwad, who shared a 137-run partnership for the second wicket. "With the way Abhishek and Rutu batted, it was not easy, especially in the powerplay, with the ball moving around. But Abhi and Rutu built the innings brilliantly," he said.Zimbabwe's chase never got going, as they were bowled out for 134 in 18.4 overs. Wessly Madhevere top-scored with 43, while Avesh Khan (3 for 15), Mukesh Kumar (3 for 37), and Ravi Bishnoi (2 for 11) shared the wickets for India.Gill admitted that his team had struggled to handle the pressure in the first match but learned from their mistakes. "Yesterday, it was more about not being able to handle the pressure. It's a young side and many of them are new to international exposure. It was actually good to have pressure in the first game and we knew what to expect coming into this game," he said.The victory levels the series at 1-1, with three matches remaining. Gill expressed optimism about his team's chances, saying, "We have got three matches to go and we are looking forward to them. It's always good to have more options rather than not having options."

Abhishek Sharma, the Indian opener, has revealed that he used the bat of his childhood friend and current captain, Shubman Gill, in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. Sharma credited the bat as a "lucky charm" in a "pressure game" for him.After being dismissed for naught in the first match, Sharma hammered seven fours and eight sixes in his even hundred, laying the foundation for India's comprehensive 100-run win. He described his journey with Gill as "beautiful," starting from the under-12 category."It has been quite beautiful, starting as kids of 11-12 years. Yeah, we are playing together from Under-12. When I was selected for the country, the first call I received was from Shubman," said Sharma in the post-match press meet.Sharma said playing with Gill's bat has been a practice that he follows from the age-group cricket. "Today, I played with his bat, so special thanks to the bat. It happened from the under-12 days, as whenever I play a pressure game I ask him for a bat. It had happened in the IPL as well. Today was no exception as it went well as it usually happens," said Sharma.The left-hander also thanked former India batter Yuvraj Singh and his own father for the fearless cricket that he was able to play now. "Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh) has made a big contribution. I don't consider myself as sixer-king or something like that. Special thanks to my dad for allowing me to play lofted shots. Generally, coaches don't allow a young batter to hit lofted shots. But my dad always said if you wanted to play a lofted shot then it should go out of the ground. So, I wanted to follow that," he elaborated.Despite the pressure of making his T20I international debut in the first game, Sharma remained composed. "I think the IPL plays a big role in this (handling pressure). We did not feel much pressure when we came here to represent the country as debutants. Unfortunately, we didn't start well in the first match. But my mindset and approach were pretty much similar – to show the right intent."Sharma was ousted in the opening over itself for a four-ball duck in the first match. But for him, it was not enough to transform his mindset or approach. "This is my game and I will go for the shot from the first ball if it's there in my slot. If it's my day then it works out, and if it does not, then I don't mind. I practice a lot for this mindset," he said.However, Sharma said he implemented his gameplan much better in the second match. "Of course, my execution was better today than yesterday. I was just calculating the risk that I should take in the first over, or whether to play according to the merit of the ball. Whenever I get boundaries or sixes in the first few balls then I believe that it's my day," he signed off.

Shubman Gill, the rising star of Indian cricket, will lead a young and promising Team India against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the five-match series, commencing on June 6. This series marks a significant transition for the Indian team, as several senior players have been rested, including former T20I captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.Gill, who has impressed with his consistent performances in recent times, will have the added responsibility of captaining the side. He will be supported by a talented group of youngsters eager to prove their worth on the international stage.The Indian team is expected to field a strong batting lineup, with Gill opening the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, who is set to make his India debut. Ruturaj Gaikwad, known for his reliability, will bat at number three. Riyan Parag, a hard-hitting middle-order batter, could also make his India debut in this series. Rinku Singh, who narrowly missed out on a spot in India's 2024 T20 World Cup squad, will aim to continue his impressive form as a finisher.Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper-batter, will be looking to make the most of his opportunities after failing to impress in his limited appearances for India. Washington Sundar, an experienced all-rounder, will provide balance to the team with his quality spin bowling and handy batting skills.The bowling attack will be led by Ravi Bishnoi, a leg-spinner who has the ability to trouble even the best batters. Khaleel Ahmed, a left-arm pacer, will be eager to make an impact after a successful IPL 2024 season. Avesh Khan, a right-arm pacer, will also be looking to prove his worth in the face of stiff competition in the Indian team. Mukesh Kumar, known for his pinpoint accuracy and discipline, could get a chance ahead of Harshit Rana and Tushar Deshpande.This series against Zimbabwe provides an excellent opportunity for the young Indian players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a place in the main team. With a new era dawning for Indian cricket, the performances of these youngsters will be closely watched as they aim to build a strong foundation for the future.

Shubman Gill, India's newly appointed T20I captain, has outlined his plans for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. Gill confirmed that he will open the batting with Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma, while Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at number three.This series marks the beginning of a new era for India in the shortest format, as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Gill acknowledged the pressure of filling the void left by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but emphasized that each player has their own goals and aspirations.Gill stressed the importance of performing well as a team, regardless of the pressure associated with a new cycle. He expressed excitement about the opportunity for young players to make their debuts and gain international experience.The Indian team will face challenging conditions in Harare, but Gill is confident that they are prepared. He praised Zimbabwe's T20 team, noting their competitive performance in the recent ODI series.Gill believes that his experience as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL will help him navigate the challenges of leading India in an international series. He emphasized the mental aspects of captaincy, such as instilling confidence in players to execute their skills on the field.

India's Future Stars Embark on Zimbabwe Tour, Seeking OpportunitiesAs India basks in the glory of their T20 World Cup triumph, the nation's attention turns to the future. A promising squad of 15 young players, led by Shubman Gill, has arrived in Zimbabwe to lay the groundwork for their own potential future success.With spots up for grabs in the national team, several players will be eager to make their mark. Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh are all vying for opening slots, while Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar aim to solidify their roles as all-rounders.Zimbabwe, too, sees this series as an opportunity to upset the newly crowned champions and showcase their own talent. Hosting India brings financial benefits and a global audience, providing a platform for players to attract attention from franchise tournaments worldwide.Shubman Gill and Sikandar Raza: In the SpotlightShubman Gill, despite a disappointing IPL campaign as captain, has the chance to lead by example in Zimbabwe. His aggressive batting style will be under scrutiny as India seeks to implement a more attacking approach.Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe's captain, has endured a rollercoaster of form in recent months. After a suspension and a string of low scores, he has regained his touch with a match-winning half-century against Bangladesh. He will be determined to inspire his team to a strong performance.Team News and DebutsIndia's squad is a work in progress, with several potential debuts on the horizon. Abhishek Sharma is confirmed to open the batting alongside Gill, while Dhruv Jurel or Jitesh Sharma could make their international debuts as wicketkeepers.Zimbabwe is also searching for new talent, with Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta returning after serving suspensions. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani are among the other players who could make their T20I debuts.Pitch and ConditionsHarare's first T20I of the year is expected to produce a low-scoring affair. Recent matches have seen first-innings totals below 150, and spinners have been more effective than fast bowlers.Stats and Trivia* India has a 6-2 record against Zimbabwe in T20Is.* Sikandar Raza needs 53 runs to become the first Zimbabwean to score 2000 runs in T20Is.