India’s recent series victory in Zimbabwe served as a coming-of-age moment for a young squad stepping up in the wake of senior retirements. Following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean, legendary players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja chose to call it quits in the shortest format, leaving a significant void to fill.
The inexperience of the new squad, led by Shubman Gill, was evident in a surprising 13-run defeat in the opening match. However, the young guns displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back to clinch a convincing 4-1 series win.
The final match in Harare saw Sanju Samson shine with a crucial half-century, while Mukesh Kumar delivered a career-best bowling performance to seal a 42-run victory for India.
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After the win, key players like Gill, Samson, and Abhishek Sharma reflected on their experiences in Zimbabwe. For Gill, captaining India to a series win for the first time was a particularly special achievement. The young batsman, who also notched his maiden international century during the tour, described the series as “spectacular.”
“There are times when we need to tighten things up, and we did that well,” Shubman Gill reflected in an interview with bcci.tv. “Having played with many of these players in different age groups helped make my job as captain much easier.”
He added, “Scoring my first international century here in Zimbabwe and leading the team to victory on debut is truly special. If I had to sum up the series in one word, it would be spectacular.”
Samson, the most experienced player in the young Indian dressing room, having made his debut in Zimbabwe back in 2025, also spoke about his crucial knock. “Losing three wickets in the powerplay put us under pressure,” he said. “Building a partnership with Riyan was crucial, and we managed to put up a decent total that our bowlers could defend. They bowled exceptionally well.”
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Sanju Samson, now a senior figure in the team, revealed his approach to fostering a positive environment. “Honestly, there’s not much you can teach them at this stage,” he explained. “But being around them and building relationships is important. When you create that connection, players feel comfortable opening up. It’s more about having a brotherly kind of bond.”
India’s success in Zimbabwe serves as a testament to the talent and potential within the young squad. With the mantle passed on from seasoned veterans, these fresh faces have proven their mettle and are ready to take Indian cricket forward.
