The squad features veteran batter Karun Nair alongside promising players like Karnataka's R Smaran, who was 2025/26 Ranji Trophy leading run-getter with 950 runs, and Hyderabad's K Himateja.

This year has been a mixed bag for Tilak Varma in T20Is, with 462 runs in 19 matches and innings at an average of over 34 and a strike rate of nearly 149, including three fifties and a best score of 60*.

India's interim batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar said rather than trying to emulate someone else, players competing for spots in the senior men's team must stay true to themselves and focus on their own individual strengths as batters.

Vice-captain Tilak Varma admitted India's T20I series victory over Zimbabwe came as a welcome relief after disappointing results in their previous two series against Ireland and England.

Ishan Kishan made 81 off 44 balls and unbeaten Tilak Varma 60 from 29 deliveries at Harare Sports Club as the tourists took an unassailable 2-0 lead.

India continued their dominance in T20I cricket, equalling their own record for the most 200-plus totals in a calendar year after posting 219/5 against Zimbabwe in the second T20I on Saturday.

Tilak Varma has scored 1,634 runs in 58 T20Is and 55 innings at an average of 44.16 and a strike rate of 145.37, with two centuries and nine fifties, with a best score of 120*.

Despite having only a brief period with the squad, VVS Laxman is keen to make the most of the opportunity and has introduced a new initiative aimed at fostering a positive atmosphere in the dressing room.

Shreyas Iyer would be eager for his first win as India captain while his young team eyes course correction against a spunky Zimbabwe that is expected to fight hard during the short three-match T20I series starting in Harare on Thursday.

The fall of early wickets in the UK and Ireland did not give middle order batters like him the license to go all guns blazing from the get go, said India T20 vice-captain Tilak Varma.