(Source X)
The recent tour of Zimbabwe was a significant turning point for India’s young talent, who stepped up admirably in the absence of seasoned players. Following the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, the series served as a crucial test for the emerging players. This trio bid farewell to T20I cricket after securing the World Cup in the Caribbean, paving the way for the next generation.
Led by Shubman Gill, the team faced an unexpected setback with a 13-run loss in the opening match. However, they showcased remarkable resilience to bounce back emphatically, ultimately securing the series with a commanding 4-1 victory.
The concluding match, held in Harare, saw Sanju Samson shine with a notable half-century, complemented by Mukesh Kumar’s career-best bowling performance, which led to a convincing 42-run win over the hosts.
Following their triumph, players like Samson, Gill, and Abhishek Sharma reflected on the invaluable experience gained during the tour. Gill, in particular, celebrated his first series win as captain of the Indian team. The Punjab batsman, who marked his maiden international century during the Zimbabwe series, described it as a ‘spectacular’ campaign.
“Sometimes we have to tighten up the screws which is also important (Kabhi kabhi thoda tight karney ka time hota hai to tight karna bhi zaroori hai). I have played with these players across age groups, which made my job as a captain quite easy,” Gill told bcci.tv.
“I scored my first international century here in Zimbabwe. Captaining here for the first time and winning the series is definitely very special for me. If I had to sum up the series in one word, I think it would be spectacular,” he added.
Samson was also prominently featured in a video shared by the BCCI on social media, where he discussed his pivotal innings of 58 runs. He highlighted how he stepped up after India lost their top three batsmen early in the Powerplay phase of the match.
“We were three wickets down, so it was very important for me to build a partnership with Riyan. Which we did, and then we got to a reasonable total to fight for the game. Our bowlers bowled really well,” Samson said.
Having debuted internationally during the 2025 Zimbabwe tour, Sanju Samson assumed the role of the most experienced player in the dressing room. Hailing from Kerala, he took it upon himself to maintain a lively atmosphere, ensuring that the younger players felt comfortable approaching him whenever they required guidance or support.
“Honestly, you can’t teach them much. You can definitely be around them and stick with them. Whenever you make a relationship, that’s when people open up with you. So I need to behave in a manner where they come and ask me. So it’s like a brother-kind of relationship,” Samson said.
