Tushar Deshpande Makes India Debut
Right-arm fast bowler Tushar Deshpande made his debut for India in the 4th T20I match of the series against Zimbabwe. The 29-year-old hit-the-deck bowler replaced Avesh Khan in the Indian line-up. Deshpande received his cap in the presence of his wife, as the Indian team looks to nurture a new fast bowling battery.
IPL Performance Paves the Way
Deshpande joined the Indian squad after a successful season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where he picked up 17 wickets. His impressive economy rate of 8.83 and a strike rate of 16.94 showcased his skills and readiness for international cricket.
A Dream Come True
Asked about his feelings after receiving the India cap, Deshpande shared his excitement and pride. “Very happy to be here. It all goes back to my childhood days when I dreamt of playing for my country. Being here wearing the blue feels very proud. Means a lot to me. The atmosphere is really great here. Playing for CSK in the IPL helped me. That experience will surely help me in the internationals. Overall the atmosphere in the team is chill,” Deshpande told the broadcaster.
India’s Lead in the Series
India has already taken a 2-1 lead in the series after losing the first match. Despite some inconsistencies in their bowling, the team has managed to finish the job in a clinical manner. In this match, India opted to play only three specialist bowlers, adding Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, and Abhishek Jaiswal as their all-rounders.
Zimbabwe Playing XI
- Wessly Madhevere
- Tadiwanashe Marumani
- Brian Bennett
- Dion Myers
- Sikandar Raza (c)
- Johnathan Campbell
- Faraz Akram
- Clive Madande (w)
- Richard Ngarava
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Tendai Chatara
India Playing XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Sanju Samson (w)
- Rinku Singh
- Shivam Dube
- Washington Sundar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Tushar Deshpande
- Khaleel Ahmed
Deshpande’s debut is a significant step in India’s efforts to develop a strong fast bowling unit for the future. His performance in the IPL and his debut game will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike.(online casino)