Yash Thakur Debuts As India Bat First After Zimbabwe Choose To Field In Second T20I

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl first against India in the second T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

India entered the contest with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and needed another victory to wrap up the series.

Raza retained the same playing XI that featured in the opening match despite the seven-wicket defeat. He said the winter conditions in Harare usually provide early assistance to fast bowlers and expected his seam attack to exploit those conditions.

Raza added that the pitch appeared better than the one used in the first match but believed it would still offer movement during the early stages.

The Zimbabwe captain expressed confidence in his players and backed the same combination to deliver a stronger performance.

India captain Shreyas Iyer said his side would have preferred to bat first had they won the toss. He described the surface as less sticky than the previous wicket and expected it to become a good batting track.

Iyer confirmed that pacer Yash Thakur would make his international debut in place of Ashok Sharma.

The 27-year-old has represented Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, helped Vidarbha win the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy and featured regularly for the India ‘A’ side over the past year.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicketkeeper), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani.

India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur and Mayank Yadav.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Mayank Yadav Reflect On Confidence, Comeback After Memorable Performances