BCCI Announces Harshit Rana, Jitesh Sharma, Sai Sudharsan as Replacements for Zimbabwe T20I Series Openers

July 2, 2024 0 753

The BCCI named Harshit Rana and others as replacements for the first two Zimbabwe T20Is due to a hurricane delaying the departure of the Indian cricket team.

The BCCI selection committee has named replacements for the first two T20Is of the upcoming five-match series against Zimbabwe. Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana will travel to Zimbabwe, filling the spots originally designated for Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Sudharsan has already represented India in ODIs, making his debut in South Africa last year. Jitesh Sharma, with nine T20I appearances for India since his debut at the 2023 Asian Games, brings experience to the squad. Harshit Rana, an emerging talent who impressed with the Kolkata Knight Riders during their victorious IPL campaign, will be looking to earn his first international cap.

The original selections, Samson, Dube, and Jaiswal, were part of India’s victorious T20 World Cup squad. A hurricane in Barbados delayed their departure, prompting the need for replacements for the opening matches of the Zimbabwe series.

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The BCCI has confirmed that the World Cup winners will reunite with the team in India before travelling to Harare for the remaining three T20Is.

Led by newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, India has opted for a relatively young squad for the Zimbabwe series. The five-match series kicks off on July 6th and concludes on July 14th, with all matches scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club.