ZIM vs IND 2026: Why is Shivam Dube not playing in the 3rd T20I?

CricTracker

newspoint|27-07-2026


India will look to whitewash Zimbabwe as the two teams lock horns in the third T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 26.

The first T20I was won by seven wickets by the Men in Blue on Thursday. Meanwhile, the second T20I took place on Saturday, when the visitors registered a comprehensive 90-run victory. Zimbabwe will have to play out of their skins to challenge India.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: Toss Update

Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first, opining that the surface could get slower and slower as the game progresses, especially because it is a used pitch. On the other hand, Sikandar Raza admitted that he would have batted first had he won the toss.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: Suryansh Shedge, Ashok Sharma return

For the third T20I, India have brought Ashok Sharma and Suryansh Shedge into the side. While Ashok played the first T20I, Shedge will be playing his maiden international game in Zimbabwe. The former has come into the side in place of the injured Prince Yadav. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube has made way for Shedge. It seems that Dube has been rested to give Shedge a chance to showcase his talent.

For Zimbabwe, there is only one change. Raza confirmed that Richard Ngarava has a slight niggle and he has been replaced by left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: What did the captains say? Shreyas Iyer, India captain:

We're going to bat first considering that we are playing on the same wicket and anticipating for it to get slower and slower. [Happy with the way this pitch played yesterday?] Certainly, we got 220 on the board and we got a phenomenal start the way boys played. It's just, you know, coming today in the morning and reflecting back on those performances give me thrills and obviously want to replicate the same performance again. [On the approach from Indian batters] It's going to be important for us to adapt as quickly as possible. Can't guarantee how the wicket is going to play. Is it going to be similar to yesterday or not? But as quickly we adapt, the better for us, and then we'll try to put a great score on the board. [On the team composition] We've got two changes. Prince is out, so Ashok Sharma comes in for him. And Shivam Dube is out, Suryansh comes in.

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain:

[Are you happy to bowl first?] Yeah, we're gonna have to do that anyway. But yeah, had we won the toss, we were looking to bat first as well. But it wasn't because of the slowness of the surface. We know scores have remained pretty good throughout, but we just wanted to bat first today. [On mood in the change room] All I said today was that you all are doing really well. I think with the team lapses, it's slightly more runs needed from the captain. So you guys are all doing a really good job. Now it's on me to try and rock up as well as a captain. Hopefully, God has given us another opportunity to rock up today and hopefully myself and along with the team as well, can put up a good batting and bowling performance. [On the team composition] We are forced into making a change early this morning. Richard Ngarava unfortunately has a slight niggle, so he misses out and Wellington Masakadza comes in.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: Playing XIs India:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer(C), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Ravi Bishnoi, Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav.

Zimbabwe:

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani.