India will take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, July 23. The visitors will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing 4-0 series defeat against England, while Zimbabwe will look to make the most of home conditions and challenge a young Indian side.

ZIM vs IND, 1st T20I: Toss Update

Indian captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl first in this series opener. Shreyas Iyer said that this is the first time he is playing in Zimbabwe, so he is unsure about the playing conditions whilst also praising Zimbabwe Cricket for their impressive run in the last few years. 

ZIM vs IND, 1st T20I: Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing today?

As revealed by the Indian captain Shreyas Iyer at the toss, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshimakes his return to India's playing XI for the series opener against Zimbabwe. After three consecutive failures against England, he was dropped from the playing XI in the fifth T20I. But in Sanju Samson's absence, the team management has given Vaibhav Sooryavanshi yet another opportunity for the Men in Blue. 

ZIM vs IND, 1st T20I: What did the captains say? Shreyas Iyer, India captain, said

"We are going to bowl first.

This is my first time here, so I don't know how the wicket is going to play. But looking at the practice wickets and the practice wickets on the side, there was a decent amount of bounce. So definitely, that's one of the aspects. [On if there will be bounce on offer] I don't know how it's going to play, but anticipating it."

"[On Zimbabwe] Absolutely, they've been playing brilliantly for the last couple of years, especially at the World Cup, the way they played. It was pleasing to the eye.

The batsmen and the bowlers executing their strengths. It was amazing. [On the team composition] We're going with three seamers, one spinner."

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain, said

"This is not your typical Harare Sports Club wicket, I think. There will be something in the start, but I don't expect it to last too long. I think there are a lot of runs on this wicket and hopefully we can put up those runs on the board. [On their last T20I series vs Bangladesh] A lot of positives, to be honest, you know. And as I said, in the pressure as well, even though the results didn't go our way, but there were a lot of positives, especially the way the bowling unit has been holding themselves as well.

Also in Bulawayo, on a slightly slower surface, I thought our top three batters did contribute the bulk of the runs as well."

"Hopefully the lower order and the middle order can contribute, can try and put up those runs and the bowling unit keep leading the way they are leading. And I'm pretty sure it will be a very good game after that. [On the team composition] The four seamers and a spinner. Nyamhuri comes back making his T20I debut and long-awaited, but Ben Curran is also making his debut."

ZIM vs IND, 1st T20I: Playing XIs Zimbabwe

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

India

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav