India squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Samson excluded, Rinku and Mayank return, four earn maiden call-ups

The BCCI has named a new-look India squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, with the headline call being the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. In a squad marked by fresh faces and notable returns, the selectors have looked towards youth and new combinations for the short tour of Harare later this month.

Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the side, with Tilak Varma retained as his deputy, as India field a considerably changed group from the one currently engaged in the five-match series in England.

The big talking point: Samson left out

The most striking omission is that of Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's triumphant 2026 T20 World Cup campaign. His exclusion follows a lean run, having failed to make an impact in three successive T20Is against Ireland and England.

The BCCI did not specify whether he had been rested or dropped. His fall from the XI had already been signalled when he was left out for the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, the match in which 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history as India's youngest men's international debutant.

Returns for Rinku and Mayank

There was good news for two players making their way back into the setup. Middle-order batter Rinku Singh has earned a recall for the first time since the T20 World Cup, having impressed for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 with 295 runs at an average of 59.

Express pacer Mayank Yadav also returns, more than a year and a half on from his last India appearance in late 2024. The call-up represents a fresh opportunity for the quick, whose considerable promise has repeatedly been interrupted by injury, including a difficult IPL 2026 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants.

Four maiden call-ups

The selectors have rewarded a clutch of strong domestic and 'A' team performers with their first senior T20I call-ups. Wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, fast bowlers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, and left-arm spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey have all been included for the first time in the format.

Prabhsimran's rise has been built on a prolific IPL 2026 for Punjab Kings, where he amassed 510 runs at a strike rate approaching 169, followed by contributions on India A's tri-series-winning tour of Sri Lanka. Thakur, meanwhile, was among the standout bowlers on that same 'A' tour, taking wickets in both the 50-over and red-ball legs.

Sooryavanshi keeps his place

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has retained his spot after his landmark debut against England in Manchester, where at 15 years and 99 days he became India's youngest-ever international cricketer, making 14 from 10 balls at the top of the order.

His inclusion signals the management's intent to continue investing in the prodigiously talented youngster, who lit up IPL 2026 with an Orange Cap-winning haul of 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals at a blistering strike rate of over 237.

Notable omissions

Beyond Samson, several members of the current England touring party did not make the cut for Zimbabwe. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi were all left out of the 15-member group.

The reshuffle gives the selectors a chance to broaden their pool ahead of a busy calendar, while managing the workloads of players who have been in near-constant action across formats.

Familiar faces retained

Amid the changes, there is a core of continuity. Former No. 1-ranked T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy keeps his place, as do the top-ranked T20I batting duo of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who are currently featuring against England.

All-rounders Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge, along with Prince Yadav — impressive on his T20I debut in Ireland — also feature, giving the side a blend of experience and emerging talent for the assignment.

The schedule

India will play all three T20Is against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, on July 23, 25 and 26. The tour follows hot on the heels of the England leg, with India's ODI series there concluding on July 19.

The Men in Blue will be strong favourites, having last toured Zimbabwe in July 2024, when they secured a comprehensive 4-1 series victory.

India's squad for the Zimbabwe T20Is

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (wk).

The final word

This is a squad that balances rewarding domestic form with giving fringe players a genuine platform on the international stage. Samson's exclusion will dominate the headlines, but the tour offers an intriguing look at India's depth and the next wave of talent knocking on the door. For the likes of Prabhsimran, Thakur and the returning Rinku and Mayank, Zimbabwe represents a valuable chance to press their claims for a longer stay in the setup.