Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe vs India T20I series will not be one-sided
Synopsis
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza is not buying the favourites tag for T20 World Cup champions India — and he has a point. With India reeling from a 0-2 loss to Ireland and a 0-4 hammering by England under new captain Shreyas Iyer, the three-match T20I series in Harare is shaping up as far less predictable than the head-to-head record suggests.
Key Takeaways
Sikandar Raza declared both Zimbabwe and India have an equal chance of winning the upcoming three-match T20I series .
All three matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club , with the first game on Thursday .
Shreyas Iyer -led India arrive after a 0-2 T20I loss to Ireland and a 0-4 defeat to England.
India also lost the ODI series 2-1 under Shubman Gill 's captaincy.
India lead the all-time T20I head-to-head 7-3 ; their last meeting on 26 February 2026 saw India win by 72 runs at the T20 World Cup.
Raza noted both teams are in transition phases, predicting an entertaining and competitive series.
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza has firmly pushed back against the notion that 2026 T20 World Cup champions India enter the upcoming three-match T20I series as overwhelming favourites, insisting both sides carry an equal shot at winning. The series, hosted by Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, gets underway on Thursday.
Raza's Confidence in Zimbabwe
'Both countries will have an equal chance in this series. But one thing I am very sure about is that because Zimbabwe has been playing very consistent and very entertaining cricket, I can say this for sure that this series will be very entertaining,' Raza said in an interview with Star Sports.
'I think, as far as winning or losing is concerned, which is important for both countries, I think both countries have an equal chance to win the series,' he added. The Zimbabwe captain's confidence is rooted in his side's recent consistency, which he believes levels the playing field against a world-champion outfit.
India's Recent Struggles Under New Leadership
The Shreyas Iyer-led India arrive in Harare on the back of a difficult run. The side suffered a 0-2 T20I series defeat to Ireland in Belfast, followed by a heavier 0-4 loss in the five-match T20I series against England. India's struggles extended to the 50-over format as well, where a Shubman Gill-captained side fell 2-1 in the ODI series. The back-to-back setbacks have cast a shadow over India's transition phase under new captains across formats.
Two Teams in Transition
Raza acknowledged that both nations are navigating periods of change, which he believes adds intrigue to the contest. 'Yes, I think India is also going through a transition, and I think to some extent you'll see Zimbabwe is also going to have a little bit of transition. I don't see it will be a one-sided series,' he said. This comes amid broader questions about India's squad depth and tactical direction following the T20 World Cup triumph.
Head-to-Head Record and Recent Meeting
India and Zimbabwe have faced each other ten times in T20 Internationals, with India leading the head-to-head record at 7 wins to Zimbabwe's 3. Their most recent encounter came on 26 February 2026 during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs. Whether Zimbabwe can reverse that recent deficit on home soil will be one of the central storylines of the series.
What to Watch
All three matches will be staged at the Harare Sports Club, a venue where Zimbabwe have historically drawn strength from home conditions. With India's new-look batting order yet to find its rhythm abroad and Zimbabwe riding a wave of consistent performances, the series shapes up as a genuine contest — and a key confidence-builder for whichever side prevails.
Point of View
Title-winning core to a new leadership group is visibly incomplete. Zimbabwe, playing consistent cricket at home, are a reasonable upset pick. The real question this series poses is not whether India can beat Zimbabwe, but whether the selectors and new captains can identify a settled combination before the next major tournament cycle begins.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Zimbabwe vs India T20I series 2026 start?
The three-match T20I series between Zimbabwe and India begins on Thursday, with all matches scheduled at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
What did Sikandar Raza say about India being favourites?
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza dismissed India's favourites tag, saying both teams have an equal chance of winning the series. He cited Zimbabwe's consistent and entertaining cricket as the basis for his confidence.
How has India performed in recent T20Is before the Zimbabwe series?
India suffered a 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland in Belfast and a 0-4 defeat in the five-match T20I series against England, both under new captain Shreyas Iyer. The side also lost the ODI series 2-1 under Shubman Gill.
What is the T20I head-to-head record between India and Zimbabwe?
India lead the all-time T20I head-to-head record against Zimbabwe with 7 wins to Zimbabwe's 3, across ten matches. Their most recent meeting was on 26 February 2026 at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where India won by 72 runs.
Why does Raza believe the series will be competitive?
Raza pointed to both teams being in transition phases as a key factor, arguing that India's rebuilding process under new captains and Zimbabwe's home form make a one-sided series unlikely.
