Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Shubman Gill made an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, as he had travelled as reserve with the Indian team for the tournament. However, the return now seems to be planned as latest reports have suggested that the youngster is likely to assume national leadership to lead the Men in Blue for the Zimbabwe tour, scheduled shortly after the World Cup.
Avesh Khan, who also returned to the country alongside Gill, will also travel to the African nation for the five-match T20I series. The ace pacer had a brilliant season with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2024, and made his best foot forward to bang the selectors’ doors. Thus, it is expected that a young team will be travelling to Zimbabwe and the senior ones may be rested.
According to Indian Express, another sensation from the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma, will get his maiden international call-up. As a result, the southpaw may find an opening partner in Gill, his good friend Punjab teammate.
Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana also in contention
It is noteworthy to mention that the National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman will be the designated head coach for the Zimbabwe tour, as the new person for the said position after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends is yet to be announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. After Laxman’s interim duty, Gautam Gambhir, who is reportedly the next coach, is set to take up the coaching role starting with the Sri Lankan tour, starting July 26.
Several youngsters stood out with noticeable performances during the last IPL season. The most significant of the lot was the Rajasthan Royals’ all-rounder Riyan Parag, who made 573 runs, batting majorly at no.4 for the franchise. The Assamese cricketer is not the only cricketer in the probable squad for the tour, as champion side Kolkata Knight Riders’ Harshit Rana and emerging player of the season Nitish Kumar Reddy are expected to don the Blues for the first time.