The Indian team made a change to the playing XI for the second T20I against Zimbabwe by bringing in Yash Thakur. The 27-year-old pacer from Vidarbha replaced Ashok Sharma for the clash at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (July 25).
Ashok Sharma featured in India’s XI during the first T20I and made his international debut. However, he was unable to pick up a wicket in his four-over spell, prompting the management to make a change for the second game.
Before making his T20I debut, Yash Thakur had played 74 T20 matches and picked up 110 wickets. He has also featured in 22 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings, taking 27 wickets in his IPL career.
Yash Thakur represented India A in the tri-series in Sri Lanka last month, where he picked up five wickets in three matches. He also played two unofficial Test matches against Sri Lanka A in Galle and claimed five wickets. Yash earned a call-up to the Indian squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The right-arm pacer bowls in the 135 kmph range and can swing the new ball. He also has plenty of variations up his sleeve.
India eye series win following Shreyas Iyer’s first toss loss as captain
After winning the toss in each of the first seven matches as India’s T20I captain, Shreyas Iyer’s streak finally came to an end in the second T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India head into the contest with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after a comfortable victory in the opener. The visitors will be aiming to wrap up the series with another strong performance, while Zimbabwe need a win to keep the contest alive heading into the final T20I.
The Men in Blue made just one change to their playing XI, bringing in Yash Thakur in place of Ashok Sharma. With the batting unit in good touch and the bowlers impressing in the first game, India will look to maintain their momentum and seal the series with a match to spare.