New Delhi: Four Indian Premier League (IPL) stars were rewarded with their maiden India call-ups after their impressive show last season as the BCCI announced India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on Monday, June 24. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Tushar Deshpande earned their maiden call-ups for the series.
All four players enjoyed brilliant campaigns for their respective franchises in the IPL 2024. The Indian team will be heading to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series following the conclusion of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli rested Shubman Gill will lead the young Indian side against Zimbabwe.
Meet the 4 IPL stars who earned their maiden call-ups for Zimbabwe series:
1) Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma was one of the stand-out performers with the bat among uncapped players in the IPL 2024. The destructive left-hander formed a dangerous opening pair with Travis Head for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the dup made a mockery of bowling attacks throughout the season. Abhishek impressed with his hitting prowess and his aggressive style of batting.
He finished as the tenth-highest run-getter of the season with 484 runs from 16 matches at an average of 32.27 and a brilliant strike rate of over 201, including 3 fifties. Abhishek’s incredible performances in IPL 2024 proved that he is ready for the next big step and he will be hoping to continue his destructive form for India against Zimbabwe.
2) Tushar Deshpande
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Tushar Deshpande has also been handed his maiden India call-up for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The Mumbai pacer became a vital cog in CSK’s bowling line-up with his impressive performances in the last two seasons. Deshpande picked up 17 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 24.94 and an economy of 8.83 for CSK in IPL 2024.
He not only improved his line and length which reflected in his economy rate in IPL 2024 but also took his pace a notch higher. Deshpande has picked up 38 wickets in 29 matches in the last two seasons in the IPL and will be hoping to grab his chances for India in the Zimbabwe T20I series.
3) Nitish Kumar Reddy
Dubbed the next Hardik Pandya for his all-round skills, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s pace all-rounder Nitish Reddy has also been named in India’s squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series. Reddy enjoyed a great season for SRH with the bat and the ball in IPL 2024 and played an important role in helping his team reach the final.
Reddy finished the season with 303 runs, including two fifties at a strike rate of 142.92. He also picked up three wickets in the season. The 21-year-old is likely to be groomed for the future and might become a handy all-rounder for India in white-ball cricket with the right guidance.
4) Riyan Parag
Rajasthan Royals (RR) star Riyan Parag has also earned his maiden India call-up after his breakout season for the franchise in IPL 2024. Parag was promoted to bat at number four by Rajasthan Royals and he went on to repay the faith shown in him with consistent performances. The right-hander finished as the third-highest run-getter in IPL 2024 with 573 runs from 16 matches.
He averaged an excellent 52.09 and struck at an impressive 149.21 throughout the season. The RR star also notched up four fifties in IPL 2024 and recorded the highest score of 84 not out. He is likely to be utilised in India’s middle order in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Four players were rewarded for their impressive performances in IPL 2024 as they earned their maiden India call-ups for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
