Samson’s omission from the Zimbabwe series is notable, given his inclusion in the full-strength Indian contingent for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan this September. The BCCI has not disclosed a reason for his exclusion—whether due to rest or being dropped—and he is one of seven alterations to the T20I squad that is presently competing in a five‑match series in England. Additionally, Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi were also omitted from the 15‑member squad overseen by Shreyas Iyer.
Middle-order batsman Rinku Singh and fast bowler Mayank Yadav have returned to the T20I squad, while wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, fast bowlers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, and left‑arm spinner Harsh Dubey received their first T20I selections.
Dubey’s inclusion marks his entry into all three formats. He had previously been named in the Test squad for the Afghanistan series but made his international debut in the following ODI series. Prabhsimran, Thakur, and Ashok were members of India A’s successful tri‑series campaign in Sri Lanka.
Prabhsimran emerged as the top run‑scorer for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, amassing 510 runs as an opener at a strike rate of 168.87. Ashok impressed during his appearances for Gujarat Titans, especially after delivering a season‑best ball clocked at 154.2 kph.
Kohli passes fitness test, Dube makes ODI comeback
Virat Kohli has been cleared after completing a fitness assessment at the Centre of Excellence in mid‑June, following a hamstring strain that sidelined him from the home Afghanistan ODIs. He successfully passed the assessment and received his return‑to‑play certificate, making him available for the upcoming England ODIs.
The injury occurred late in his triumphant IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He concluded the season as the fourth‑highest run‑scorer, accumulating 675 runs across 16 innings at a strike rate of 165.84—the highest he has ever recorded in a single tournament.
The ODI squad also includes Shivam Dube, who replaces Nitish Reddy. Still undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence, Dube is targeting a recovery from his quadriceps injury in time for the Test tour to Sri Lanka in August. He has not featured regularly in ODIs recently, with his most recent appearance in July 2024.
India’s ODI series in England concludes on 19 July, after which the team will face Zimbabwe in the opening T20I on 23 July, with subsequent matches scheduled for 25 and 26 July in Harare.
Samson’s omission follows his exclusion from the playing XI in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, where 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his debut, opening the innings and scoring 14 off 10 balls. Earlier, Samson posted scores of 5, 0 and 1 in matches against Ireland in Belfast and the first T20I against England in Durham. Prior to IPL 2026, he had recorded three straight half‑centuries, guiding India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title and earning Player of the Tournament honors.
Mayank’s selection offers a second opportunity in the T20I squad after a brief stint in 2024 following a breakthrough IPL season that saw him regularly exceed 150 kph. He has since been prone to injuries, spending much of the intervening period sidelined. He appeared in only four Lucknow Super Giants matches during IPL 2026, failing to take a wicket and conceding runs at an average of 11.37 per over.
India T20I squad for Zimbabwe tour
Shreyas Iyer (capt), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (wk).
India’s updated ODI squad for England tour
Shubman Gill (capt), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Shivam Dube.
