IND vs ZIM: Indian team reached Harare, but some teammates will reach later, know when is the first match

“We welcome T20 World Cup champions India,” Zimbabwe Cricket wrote in a post on 'X' on Tuesday night. Riyan Parag, who made his debut for India during the series, said in a video posted by the BCCI that it was his childhood dream to travel with this team.

Riyan Parag said, 'Wearing the Indian jersey and traveling with the team is a different experience. Coming from Assam, it was my dream to play for India. I am really very happy. When I play my first match, I will have a special relationship with Zimbabwe.' He said, 'It will be a special moment for that ground and for me, which will be very sacred.' Riyan Parag said, 'After losing my passport, we have finally reached here after a 20-hour journey. Now I am eagerly waiting for this tour.'

Another new player, medium pacer Tushar Deshpande, said that being a part of the national team is like a dream come true for him and playing for the country is a very special thing. Deshpande said, 'The most important thing is to travel with the team and know them, know the team atmosphere and the most important thing for me is the fun that I have during the travel.'

Left-handed batsman Abhishek Sharma said that since the day he started playing cricket, his dream was to play for the country. Abhishek said, 'I knew that if I kept working hard, I would get a chance but I did not know that I would get a chance outside India in Zimbabwe.' He said, 'After my name was announced in the team, I got a call from (captain) Shubman. Everyone gave me a lot of love. This was a big thing for me.'

Abhishek said, 'When I reached home after my name was announced, I saw my family members giving interviews. So I think that was a moment I will always remember.' India will play its first match against Zimbabwe, captained by Sikandar Raza, on July 6 at Harare Cricket Ground. The remaining four matches will also be played at the same ground.

Sai Sudarshan, Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana were included in the team on Tuesday, replacing the three players included in the Indian team for the first two matches of the series. Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dubey will reach India by charter plane on Thursday morning along with other senior players. The players will be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later. Fast bowler Khalil Ahmed and batsman Rinku Singh, who were included in the T20 World Cup team as reserve players, are also currently in Barbados. The BCCI has not announced the replacement of these two. However, they are in the team for the India-Zimbabwe series.

tag: India vs Zimbabwe, Team India