ZIM vs IND 2024: Why are Ruturaj Gaikwad and Khaleel Ahmed not playing fifth T20I?

Team India (IND) are locking horns with hosts Zimbabwe (ZIM) in the fifth and final T20I of the ongoing T20I series at the Harare Sports Club, in Harare, on Sunday, July 14. Zimbabwe skipper Sikander Raza finally won his first toss of the series and opted to bowl first. The Hosts made a slight change to their playing XI by bringing in Brandon Mavuta to their playing XI. They did so by resting fast bowler Tendai Chatara. 

On the other hand, India too entered the fray with some changes from the last game. They benched No.3 batter Ruturaj Gaikwad and pacer Khaleel Ahmed. As a result, they went with middle-order batters Riyan Parag and Mukesh Kumar.

Parag made his international debut in the first T20I and scored just two runs. In the second T20I, the youngster didn't get to bat but bowled an over and conceded five runs. He was rested for the last two games. On the other hand, Kumar has also featured in two matches in the T20I series and has claimed four wickets. 

"We were looking to bat first anyway. Our spinners have bowled well and the fast bowlers have been economical. The players have been hungry. It's not easy to play back-to-back matches. A couple of changes. Mukesh Kumar and Parag come in," Gill said at the toss.

Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal after India’s 10-wicket win in 4th Zimbabwe T20I

Meanwhile, Raza mentioned the reason for resting Chatara because the pacer has played four matches on the trot and the team wants him to prepare and rest well for the one-off Test against Ireland at the end of the month. 

"We are gonna have a bowl first. The wicket will get better when we bat second. Not difficult at all, the motivation is there, the confidence is there and the skillset is there. We want to do well and finish the series on a high. Brandon Mavuta comes in. Chatara has been rested, he's played four games in a row and we have a Test match coming up," Raza said at the toss.

Also Read: Khaleel Ahmed opens up on international comeback

India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Kumar

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Johnathan Campbell, Faraz Akram, Clive Madande(w), Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani