India and Zimbabwe have announced their squads for the three-match T20I series scheduled from July 23 to 26, 2026, at Harare Sports Club.
India will be led by Shreyas Iyer, while Sikandar Raza captains Zimbabwe as the hosts rely on a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent.
India’s squad features four maiden T20I call-ups, Ravi Bishnoi replacing the injured Varun Chakravarthy, and the omission of Sanju Samson. This article provides the complete India and Zimbabwe player lists, captain details, and the key squad updates ahead of the T20I series.
India Tour of Zimbabwe 2026 Squads at a Glance
Before the full squads, here is a quick snapshot of the series details, captains and venue for the India tour of Zimbabwe 2026. This table brings together the essential facts in one place, so readers do not need to search through the rest of the article for the basics.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | India Tour of Zimbabwe 2026 |
| Format | T20I |
| Matches | 3 |
| Dates | July 23 to 26, 2026 |
| India Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| India Vice-Captain | Tilak Varma |
| Zimbabwe Captain | Sikandar Raza |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club |
With the basics in place, here is the complete India squad picked for the series, along with the primary role each player is expected to fill.
India Squad for Zimbabwe T20I Series 2026
The BCCI has named a 15-member squad for the T20I series in Zimbabwe. It mixes experienced campaigners with fresh talent, giving several uncapped players a chance ahead of a busy international calendar. The full player list and their primary roles are set out below.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer (C) | Batter |
| Tilak Varma (VC) | Batting All-rounder |
| Ishan Kishan | WK Batter |
| Prabhsimran Singh | WK Batter |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batting All-rounder |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| Rinku Singh | Batter |
| Harsh Dubey | Bowling All-rounder |
| Suryansh Shedge | All-rounder |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler |
| Prince Yadav | Bowler |
| Mayank Yadav | Bowler |
| Ashok Sharma | Bowler |
| Yash Thakur | Bowler |
Zimbabwe have named an equally settled squad for this series, built around their long-serving captain and a core group of regular performers.
Zimbabwe Squad For India T20I Series 2026
In This T20I Series, Zimbabwe have picked their squad under veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza. The side blends established international players with domestic performers who will look to trouble India on home soil. Their full squad and roles are listed below.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza (C) | All-rounder |
| Brian Bennett | Batter |
| Ryan Burl | All-rounder |
| Ben Curran | Batter |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler |
| Richard Ngarava | Bowler |
| Dion Myers | Batter |
| Clive Madande | WK |
| Wellington Masakadza | Spinner |
| Brad Evans | All-rounder |
| Milton Shumba | Batter |
| Newman Nyamhuri | Bowler |
| Tinotenda Maposa | Bowler |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | WK Batter |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | Batter |
Beyond the two squad lists, several selection calls stand out and are worth understanding in more detail.
Key Squad Updates for India Tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Several changes shape this squad compared to India’s recent T20I sides. Here are the key updates fans should know before the series begins.
- Shreyas Iyer continues as captain, leading the side for another assignment.
- Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain, a first for the young batter.
- Ravi Bishnoi replaces the injured Varun Chakravarthy in the spin attack.
- Sanju Samson has been left out of the touring squad.
- Rinku Singh returns to the T20I setup after missing some recent series.
- Mayank Yadav also returns, adding to India’s pace options.
- Four players, Prabhsimran Singh, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma and Harsh Dubey, earn maiden T20I call-ups.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi keeps his place after recent performances.
Together, these moves show a squad built around continuity at the top and fresh energy further down the order.
New Faces in India’s Squad
Four uncapped players have received maiden T20I selections for this tour, giving India fresh options across departments. Prabhsimran Singh, an explosive wicketkeeper-batter, brings aggressive stroke play and sharp glove work to the middle order.
Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, both fast bowlers, add pace and depth to the bowling attack. Harsh Dubey, a left-arm bowling all-rounder who recently featured in ODIs, gets his first T20I opportunity on this tour. Their inclusion gives the team bench strength ahead of a packed international calendar.
Players Missing From India’s Squad
Several notable players are absent from this touring squad. Sanju Samson has been left out following a string of underwhelming scores in recent matches, even though he remains part of India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games.
Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar are also not included. These omissions appear to be part of squad rotation after a packed schedule, giving other players a chance in Zimbabwe.
Varun Chakravarthy Injury Update
Varun Chakravarthy was originally part of India’s plans but has withdrawn from the series due to a hamstring injury sustained during the T20Is in England.
Ravi Bishnoi has been brought in as his replacement for the tour. The change adds a wrist-spin option to the attack and keeps Shreyas Iyer’s bowling choices flexible in Harare conditions.
Who Are the Captains For India and Zimbabwe?
India: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer brings calm leadership and consistent batting to the side. As captain, he will guide a young and largely new-look squad through this short tour of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza is an experienced all-rounder and the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s team. His batting, off-spin bowling and leadership make him a key figure for the hosts in home conditions.
India Tour of Zimbabwe 2026 Schedule
Fans following the squads will also want to know when these players take the field. The three T20Is are played in quick succession, all at the Harare Sports Club.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | July 23 | Harare | 4:30 PM |
| 2nd T20I | July 25 | Harare | 4:30 PM |
| 3rd T20I | July 26 | Harare | 4:30 PM |
Conclusion
India travel to Zimbabwe with a squad that balances experienced names with four uncapped players, under the settled leadership of Shreyas Iyer and new vice-captain Tilak Varma.
Ravi Bishnoi’s inclusion in place of the injured Varun Chakravarthy and Sanju Samson’s omission stand out as the biggest selection talking points.
Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, field their regular core group as they aim to test India across the three T20Is starting July 23. Keep this page bookmarked for any squad changes before the series begins.
