India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare. Reigning world champions Team India, under Iyer's leadership, are looking for their first win after the T20 World Cup 2026, as they are coming after losing against Ireland and England respectively. On the other hand, Zimbabwe suffered a huge blow just before the series opener as their stylish batter Milton Shumba has been ruled out and Innocent Kaia has been brought in as his replacement.

Prabhsimran Singh, who was included in the squad after England's humiliating defeat, has to wait longer as India included Ishan Kishan for keeping wickets in the 1st T20I. 

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Captains at toss

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe captain): This is not a typical Harare surface. There will be some movement at the start, but it won't be for too long. We have got four seamers and a spinner.

Shreyas Iyer (India captain): 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.

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India vs Zimbabwe playing XIs

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

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