Zimbabwe rope in Charl Langeveldt as bowling coach ahead of India series

Zimbabwe have roped in former South African pacer Charl Langeveldt as the bowling coach of the side ahead of their upcoming T20I series against India. The five-match series will be played between July 6-14. Harare will host all the matches. 

The matches will be played on July 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14. Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe while Shubman Gill will lead India. The BCCI has named a very young Indian squad with the senior players rested after the memorable T20 World Cup win. 

Zimbabwe following their inability to qualify for the T20 World Cup will be taking on the side who were crowned the T20 World Cup champions. Though the side has less international experience, their IPL experience makes them a competitive side.

 Charl Langeveldt has served as the bowling coach of the South African team in two previous stints. He has also worked with Punjab Kingas as the bowling coach of the franchise in the IPL.

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Charl Langeveldt Joins Zimbabwe 

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket in a statement said that the appointments were in line with the recommendations made by the Mhishi Committee of Inquiry that was established to probe the team's failure to qualify for the recently concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which led to the resignation of Dave Houghton as head coach.

"All the appointments were made in consultation with Sammons, who also opted to retain Stuart Matsikenyeri, although he now assumes the role of Fielding Coach, while Amato Machikicho will continue serving as the team's Physiotherapist," it further said.

Zimbabwe had earlier appointed Justin Sammons as head coach and Dion Ebrahim as the batting coach. Sammons had previously worked with the  South African men's team as the batting consultant from 2021 to 2023. Dion Ebrahim has played international cricket for Zimbabwe. He played  29 Tests and 82 ODIs from 2001 to 2005 and recently worked with the New Zealand senior men's team.

Speaking about the Indian team, the BCCI named a young 17-member squad with the senior players rested. Tushar Deshpande, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma earned their maiden India call-ups. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh will join the squad while a few others will join them later. 

After naming the initial squad, the BCCI announced replacements for Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal who will first be with the Indian T20 World Cup-winning team as part of the trophy celebrations.

The BCCI named Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Hardhit Rana for the first two games as Samson, Jaiswal, and Dube will be a part of the squad in Zimbabwe for the last three games.  This is India's fourth trip to Zimbabwe to play a T20I series after 2010, 2015, and 2016.

India Squad For First Two T20Is- Shubman Gill (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Harshit Rana

Zimbabwe Squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba

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