In the second game of the three-match T20 series between India and Zimbabwe, which will be held at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (July 25) at 16:30 Indian time, the Indian team aims to win the series after a victory in the first match by 7 wickets to 0.
In the first match, young player Vaibhav Suryavanshi attracted the most attention, demonstrating fearless and aggressive play, proving that pressure on a large arena does not stop him. Fans expect whether Vaibhav can repeat his impressive style against Zimbabwean players in the second T20. He scored 50 runs off 19 balls in the first match, which was his first half-century achievement in his international career.
Besides Vaibhav, an explosive and attacking performance is expected from Abhishek Sharma, whose aggressive T20 play can change the course of any match. Furthermore, fast bowler Minke Yadav is ready to put the Zimbabwean batsmen to a tough test with his speed exceeding 150 km/h. In the first T20 match, Minke Yadav took 2 wickets and was named player of the match for his strong performance.
The Indian team hopes to replicate strong play in all aspects—batting, bowling, and fielding—as in the first match. For Zimbabwe, this match will be decisive. Another tense T20 match is expected in Harare, where all eyes will be on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, and Minke Yadav.
The Indian team is currently on a tour in Zimbabwe, where a T20 series against Zimbabwe began on Thursday, July 23. The remaining matches are scheduled for July 25 and 26. All three games of the series will take place at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
An analysis of the T20 history between India and Zimbabwe shows that the two teams have played each other in 14 encounters. Although the Indian team won 11 times and Zimbabwe won 3 times, all three losses for India against Zimbabwe occurred on Zimbabwean soil, and in all cases, they were suffered during the rounds.
Previously, about two years ago, India visited Zimbabwe. After winning the T20 championship title, the new Indian team lost the first match by a margin of 13 runs, but then managed to win four consecutive matches and finished the series with a victory.
This time, the Indian team will field new players and conduct new experiments. Special attention will be paid to Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, as he previously lost both series against Ireland and England with scores of 0-2 and 0-4, respectively. Interest is also expected in Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
A total of three T20 losses for India have been recorded, the most recent one occurring on July 6, 2024. In that match, Zimbabwe, batting first in Harare, scored 115/9 in 20 overs, with Ravi Bishnoi taking 4 wickets. The Indian team, coming in to chase, managed to score 102 runs in 19.5 overs, falling short of the target by 13 runs. Sikandar Raza and Tendai Chatara also featured in this match, each taking 3 wickets. Shubman Gill was the captain of India in that game.
Another intense match took place on June 18, 2016, in Harare, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the Indian team. Zimbabwe scored 170/6, and India, batting second, managed to score 168/6 in 20 overs, losing by only 2 runs.
The first loss for India against Zimbabwe in international T20 occurred on July 19, 2015. Ajinkya Rahane was the captain then, and the match was also held in Harare. Zimbabwe scored 145/7, and India managed to score 135/9, losing by 10 runs.
Thus, all three losses of the Indian team against Zimbabwe were incurred specifically in Harare. Since all three matches of the current series are also being held in Harare, this is becoming a topic of discussion. Overall, in 12 matches played by India in Harare, the team has won 9, but lost 3.
The Zimbabwe squad includes players such as Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicketkeeper), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Wesley Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Richard Nagarwa, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani, Ben Carn, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Newman Nyamhuri. The Indian squad features players like Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shede, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dube, Ravi Bishnoi.
The schedule for India's matches in Zimbabwe is as follows: the first T20 on July 23 in Harare; the second T20 on July 25 in Harare; the third T20 on July 26 in Harare.
Following a tour of England, the Indian cricket team is preparing to play a three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe. The first match is scheduled for July 23 in Harare. Shreyas Iyer will lead the team in this series.
Four new players have been included in the Indian squad: opener batsman Prabhsimran Singh, spinner Harsha Dubey, fast bowlers Ashok Sharma, and Yash Thakur. These athletes earned their spot in the national team through impressive performances in domestic matches and the IPL.
Prabhsimran Singh, an aggressive opener from Punjab Kings, has long attracted attention with his attacking style in the IPL. He was also given the opportunity to play for the India-A team. He is considered a potential backup opener who bats in the top order. He has scored 3665 runs in 129 T20 matches at an average rate of 151.50, and in the IPL, he scored 1815 runs in 65 games at an average rate of 156.
The 23-year-old spin all-rounder Harsha Dubey debuted for India in an ODI series against Afghanistan in June 2026, where he established himself by taking four wickets in two matches. He skillfully combines useful contribution in the lower order with consistent wicket-taking through left-arm spin bowling. In 38 T20 matches, he has taken 34 wickets at an economy rate of 7.57, and in the IPL, he took 13 wickets in 11 matches.
The 24-year-old fast bowler Ashok Sharma gained attention after becoming the leading wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament last domestic season. His strength is his bowling speed, exceeding 150 km/h, which places him among India's select fast bowlers. Playing for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, he took six wickets in six matches, and overall in 16 T20 matches, he has 28 wickets.
Fast bowler Yash Thakur from Vidarbha is also among the new hopes for Indian fast bowling. He has demonstrated consistently strong results in both domestic matches and limited-overs formats for the India-A team. The 27-year-old Yash has already taken 110 wickets in 74 T20 matches. His IPL statistics are also impressive: he took 27 wickets in 22 matches.
The main question before the first T20 match in Harare on July 23 is which of these four new players the coaching staff will back. Prabhsimran can provide the team with an additional batting option, while Harsha Dubey can help balance the squad as an all-rounder. Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur are capable of adding freshness to the fast bowling department. Thus, depending on the team composition, one or more players may receive their first T20 match for India.
The full schedule for the India vs Zimbabwe T20 series is as follows: the first T20 will take place on July 23, 2026 (Thursday) at 16:30; the second T20 will be on July 25, 2026 (Saturday) at 16:30; the third T20 will be on July 26, 2026 (Sunday) at 16:30.
