On the backdrop of the T20 World Cup success and change of guard, Shubman Gill will lead India in the series, while Zimbabwe will be captained by familiar face in Sikandar Raza.
Both India and Zimbabwe will have a very young squad of players to pick from as Men in Blue have rested some of their World Cup stars, and the home side are looking at a rebuild following their failure to qualify for the bygone show-piece event.
Zimbabwe are heading into the series on the back of three series defeats with the most recent being a 1-4 drubbing in Bangladesh in May.
Now, they face a tougher challenge despite facing a young Indian team.
This will be India's first visit to Zimbabwe for a T20I series since 2016 and their first meeting against the African nation in the format since 2022 T20 World Cup. Here is a look at the Harare Sports Club T20I Stats, Record, Pitch Report and Harare Weather Forecast:
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
The wickets at the Harare Sports Club are pretty even, assisting both the batters and bowlers.
While run-scoring may be easy, there is something in it for the pacers early in the game with the spinners coming into play later. However, in T20Is, the wicket may remain same throughout.
The average score batting first is 156 overall, but in the most recent T20I, Ireland chased down 140 with ease. The overall record at the venue indicates that the team batting first has had the most success, having won 23 times in T20I as opposed to 18 times when chasing.
Harare Weather Forecast on July 6
It is expected to be a pleasant day full of sunshine on Saturday (July 6) in Harare with max temperature expected to be 24°C at the start of the match and 23°C at the closing stages.
There is no threat of rain on the matchday. So, expect an uninterrupted match.
Harare Sports Club T20I Stats and Record
- Matches: 41
- India Won: 5 of 7 matches
- Zimbabwe Won: 9 of 38 matches
- Matches Won Batting 1st: 23
- Matches Won Batting 1st: 18
- Highest Team Total: 229/2 by Australia vs Zimbabwe in 2018
- Lowest Team Total: 99 All Out by Pakistan vs Zimbabwe in 2021
- Highest Successful Chase: 194/5 by Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe in 2021
- Lowest Total Defended: 118/9 by Zimbabwe vs Pakistan in 2021
- Average 1st Innings Score: 156
- Highest Individual Score: Aaron Finch (Australia) - 172 vs Zimbabwe in 2018
- Best Bowling Innings: Mosaddeck Hossain (Bangladesh) - 5 for 20 vs Zimbabwe in 2022
- Total Sixes: 348 Sixes
- Total Fours: 953 Fours
- Total Fifties: 44 Fifties
- Total Hundreds: 1 Hundred
India vs Zimbabwe T20I Head to Head Record
In 8 IND vs ZIM head to head meetings in T20I, India holds a slight advantage, having won 6 times against Zimbabwe, who have won just the two encounters.
In the most recent meeting, India defended 186 by bowling out Zimbabwe for 115 in the 2022 T20 World Cup
India vs Zimbabwe T20I record in Harare
- Matches: 7
- India Won: 5
- Zimbabwe Won: 2
- India Won Batting First: 2
- India Won Chasing: 3
- Zimbabwe Won Batting First: 2
- Zimbabwe Won Chasing: 0
- Highest Total for India vs Zimbabwe: 178
- Lowest Total for India vs Zimbabwe: 135
- Highest Total for Zimbabwe vs India: 170
- Lowest Total for Zimbabwe vs India: 99
India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Dates, Timing and Telecast Info
- Match Date: Saturday, July 6
- Match Start Time: 4:30 PM IST
- TV Channels: Sony Sports TEN 5 and Sony Sports TEN 3 Channels
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV