Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson (Agency Image)

When India begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, the spotlight will not only be on the result but also on the fresh faces hoping to begin their international journeys.Over the years, tours of Zimbabwe have evolved into India’s preferred platform for testing emerging talent in the shortest format. Rather than fielding full-strength squads, the BCCI has consistently used these bilateral series to reward standout domestic and IPL performers with their maiden T20I caps. The numbers underline that trend. A total of 22 Indian men’s cricketers have made their T20I debuts against Zimbabwe, making the African nation one of India’s most frequent proving grounds for future stars.

2010: Virat Kohli, Ashwin headline India’s Zimbabwe experiment

India’s tradition of handing out debuts in Zimbabwe dates back to 2010. During the two-match T20I series, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Naman Ojha all made their debuts in the opening game as India secured a comfortable six-wicket win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26, Ashwin impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ojha managed two runs. In the following match, Amit Mishra became the fourth debutant of the series and returned figures of 1/21.That tour also marked another milestone, with Suresh Raina captaining India in T20Is for the first time.

2015: Sanju Samson, Axar Patel gets India breakthrough

Five years later, India again arrived in Zimbabwe with a youthful squad. The 2015 series featured first T20I caps for Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma in the opening game, while Sanju Samson debuted in the second T20I.Although several batters endured modest starts, Axar Patel stood out with an impressive spell of 3/17. Manish Pandey scored 19, Kedar Jadhav made 9, Stuart Binny contributed 11 and Sandeep Sharma went wicketless. Samson scored 19 off 24 balls in his maiden appearance.The same tour also witnessed Ajinkya Rahane making his captaincy debut in both ODIs and T20Is.

2016: Chahal, KL Rahul join the growing list

India continued the trend in 2016, handing opportunities to another crop of newcomers. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal all made their T20I debuts in the opening match. It proved a difficult initiation for several players as Zimbabwe posted 170/6. Unadkat, Dhawan and Chahal all endured expensive spells, while Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mandeep Singh provided one of the few positives with 31 off 27 balls, although India lost the match by two runs.The second T20I brought more debutants. Barinder Sran enjoyed a dream start to his international career, producing figures of 4/10, which remain the best bowling figures by an Indian on T20I debut. Dhawal Kulkarni also debuted in that match and claimed 1/32.

2024: Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag headline India’s latest batch of debutants

India once again used the Zimbabwe tour in 2024 to blood a fresh batch of youngsters. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel made their T20I debuts in the opening match of the five-game series. Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden cap in the second T20I, while Tushar Deshpande made his debut in the fourth match.Among the debutants, Abhishek made the biggest impact. After a modest start in his first T20I, the left-hander bounced back with a stunning 46-ball century in just his second international appearance, announcing himself on the biggest stage. Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudharsan and Tushar Deshpande also began their international journeys during the series.The tour also marked another significant milestone as Shubman Gill captained India in T20Is for the first time. Leading a young side, Gill guided India to a commanding 4-1 series victory.

2026: Prabhsimran, Ashok, Yash and Harsh await their chance

The 2026 tour could once again add new names to India’s growing list of T20I debutants in Zimbabwe. Prabhsimran Singh, Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur and left-arm spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey are all in contention to earn their maiden India caps during the three-match series. With Sanju Samson omitted from the squad, Prabhsimran has travelled as the third specialist opener. While Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are expected to be India’s preferred opening pair, it remains to be seen whether Prabhsimran gets an opportunity during the series. The pace department also features two uncapped fast bowlers in Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur. Ashok impressed throughout IPL 2026, consistently clocking speeds in excess of 150 kmph and delivering the fastest ball of the tournament at 154.7 kmph, performances that earned him his maiden senior India call-up. Thakur, meanwhile, featured in just one IPL game for Punjab Kings but has long been part of the BCCI’s targeted player pool. He also enjoyed an impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, with the selectors rewarding his consistent progress with a place in the national squad. Harsh Dubey is another uncapped player who could make his international debut in Harare. The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder has featured in 11 IPL matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, claiming 13 wickets, while also producing a string of impressive performances in domestic cricket to force his way into the national reckoning. If any of the quartet make their debut in Harare, they will become the latest additions to a long list of Indian cricketers whose T20I journeys began in Zimbabwe.

The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained gelding, Zou Sensation, will now follow a structured racing pattern within Victoria after failing to perform when racing interstate.

Zou Sensation is slated to compete in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this Saturday, with the stable considering a Group 1 race later in the season.

Troy Corstens commented that the gelding has not been at his peak during past interstate journeys and has declared the sprinter’s travelling days are finished.

Following a win at Flemington on New Year’s Eve and a last-place finish at Caulfield in February, the Corstens and Larkin team had entertained aspirations of a Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign for Zou Sensation.

He finished fifth at Scone in May, then made his way to Brisbane where, in his sole outing, he finished ahead of only one other horse in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) on June 6.

On a prior trip to Queensland in January 2025, Zou Sensation finished in the midfield in two starts, one at the Sunshine Coast and the other in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast.

“He will never travel again, it just doesn’t suit him,” Corstens stated.

“I’m not sure what it is. We’ve tried it a couple of times, but he’s just not at his best when we’ve travelled him, so we’ll never travel with him again.”

Since his return to his Flemington home, Zou Sensation has competed in two trials at Werribee.

In the first trial on July 3, he finished fourth behind Hard Kick and Cruiserweight, while last Friday he defeated Evaporate over 800m.

“He trialled really well on Friday morning,” Corstens said.

“He pulled up well, he’s come through it well and we’re looking forward to seeing him at Caulfield on Saturday.”

Corstens mentioned that the team would be guided by Zou Sensation’s performance on Saturday, but the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield remains a potential target.

“Saturday is the kick-off and you look at him and you think he is a Rupert Clarke sort of horse,” Corstens remarked.

“We’ve got to try and see if we can get him there.

“The Peter Lawrence could be next, but we’ll have a look and see and we’ll be guided by what he does on Saturday.”

Zou Sensation has drawn barrier eight in the nine-horse field and will be ridden by Jamie Mott.

Two former Perth gallopers, Cosmic Crusader and Aztec Ruler, are set to make their Victorian debuts on Saturday and have drawn barriers one and three respectively.

Betting markets for the race are already open at leading sports betting platforms.

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu denied a report that she declined to participate in the 2026 WNBA 3-point contest.

“I saw [the report] yesterday. I can’t decline an offer I never got officially invited to,” Ionescu said while talking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon. “So I was pretty surprised to see that. Never got invited. Whether it’s against Steph Curry or in the W, I always go out and try and beat my record every single time I’ve gone out. So yeah, I mean, I just kind of wanted to set the record straight. That was just false. 

“But I’m really excited for the participants in it and obviously there is going to be a new winner, so I’m excited to see who wins.”

ESPN reported Tuesday that Ionescu, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride all declined invitations to participate in the event. Ionescu is a two-time 3-point contest winner. She won the event last year, two years after setting a record (both WNBA and NBA) with a score of 37 in her 2023 win. During that performance, she made 25 of 27 shots, including 20 in a row. She also participated in the historic NBA vs. WNBA “Stephen vs. Sabrina” shootout with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend.

While Ionescu set the record straight, it is unclear whether or not Clark received an invite. As for McBride, the WNBA’s active leader in career 3-pointers with 796, she said she “received a half ass invite” through a text by her agent.

“Sooo posting things like I’m afraid of shooting smoke is weird and if you didn’t hear it from me prob shouldn’t believe it,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “We should focus on the great shooters in it already!!!”

WNBA fans have been waiting for an Ionescu vs. Clark showdown since Clark — the leading scorer in NCAA Division I history — joined the league in 2024. While this is her third year in the league, the former Iowa star has not participated in a 3-point contest yet. She declined an invitation as a rookie but was set to participate last year. However, she ended up missing both the 3-point contest and All-Star Game because of a groin injury.

While Ionescu, Clark and McBride are out, No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd and Marina Mabrey, who leads the league in 3-pointers made this season, are among the participants for the event on Friday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

2026 WNBA All-Star 3-point contest participants

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has reportedly been involved in a disagreement with the coaching staff at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

According to Wolves journalist Nathan Judah, the Nigerian forward refused to leave the training pitch after he was told not to train with the first team. The incident reportedly led to the cancellation of a training session at the club’s Compton Park training ground.

Judah also claimed that extra security was brought in to ensure Arokodare did not return to the training ground. The 25-year-old is also expected to miss Wolves’ trip to face Maidenhead United.

Neither Wolves nor Arokodare has commented on the reports.

The incident comes at a time when Arokodare is being linked with a move away from the club. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Italian club Fiorentina have submitted an offer worth around £22 million. The deal is said to be an initial loan with an option or obligation to buy. Clubs from Belgium, France and Turkey have also shown interest in the striker.

If confirmed, this would not be Arokodare’s first disciplinary issue at Wolves. Last season, he was reportedly involved in a dressing-room clash with teammate Mateus Mane. Former manager Rob Edwards later said the matter had been resolved internally.

New Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto has made it clear that discipline is one of his top priorities. Speaking after his appointment, the Portuguese coach said he expects high standards from every player while encouraging responsibility and teamwork.

The reports have also raised questions because of FIFA’s new player protection rules. Under the updated regulations, clubs are not allowed to isolate contracted players from the first team to force them into accepting a transfer, unless there is a genuine sporting or medical reason.

There is no evidence that Wolves have broken FIFA’s rules. However, if the reports are confirmed and there is no valid reason for Arokodare’s exclusion, the situation could attract attention under the new regulations.

Arokodare joined Wolves from Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2025. He scored six goals in 38 appearances during his first season as the club was relegated from the Premier League. He has also fallen out of the Super Eagles squad under coach Eric Chelle.

With the summer transfer window still open, the latest reports have added more uncertainty over the Nigerian striker’s future at Wolves.

Trainer Richard Litt is hoping for a change in fortune at Randwick for his horse Barber, whose current preparation has been significantly impacted by wet tracks and a lack of luck.

Barber was a late withdrawal from last Saturday’s Rosehill meeting due to the rain-affected conditions. However, the sprinter is now expected to take its place in the Elite Sand and Soil Handicap (1100m) this weekend. With clear weather forecast for Sydney, Litt is optimistic that the conditions will finally be conducive for Barber.

“He has been very frustrating,” Litt remarked. “He’s had no luck this ‘prep’. I’m ripping my hair out with that horse. Wherever he goes on good ground, he will be very hard to beat. It’s just getting that good ground.”

The horse, a Group winner at two for Godolphin, was purchased as a tried horse by syndicators Monarch Bloodstock and made his first start for Litt in April last year. He went on to win the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford in his next appearance for the stable. Since then, he has secured three black-type placings and has performed commendably in his three starts this current campaign.

In May, Barber finished fifth, beaten just over a length in the Chief De Beers (1110m) at Doomben. He subsequently raced unplaced on a heavy track in the Hinkler Handicap (1200m), and then finished less than two lengths behind the winner Yellow Brick in the W J Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm last start.

Drawing barrier five, Barber will carry 59kg, with apprentice William Stanley claiming three kilograms.

Barber is anticipated to be one of up to three runners for Litt at Randwick. He will be joined by Aleppo Pine in the Sydney Roosters Partners Handicap (1100m) and the two-year-old filly Iced Fury in the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap (1100m). Iced Fury recently achieved a debut win at Wyong.

Litt is optimistic that this trio can continue the stable’s impressive run of form. This month, they have already produced seven winners from 18 starters, including Romeo’s Choice, a noted wet-track performer, who was victorious at Rosehill last Saturday.

Betting on the feature races is heating up; consider exploring online bookmakers for the best racing odds.

The biggest story coming out of SEC Media Days has been the discussion regarding the SEC potentially breaking away from the NCAA.

Could they really have their own sport separate from the Big 12, ACC, and Big 10?

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin and ‘The Portal’ host Brian Smith discuss programs that have a strong outlook in the next 5 years.

Does Alabama make the top 10 programs with a 5-year outlook right now?

Indiana was one of the most unlikely national champions of all time in 2025, and they won’t sneak up on anyone in 2026. Spencer and ‘Locked On Hoosiers’ host Jacob Goins pick Indiana’s 2026 record with Josh Hoover at QB.

00:00 Debating structure in college football
03:55 SEC’s stance on NIL money
07:15 Debating SEC’s national legitimacy
13:00 Ranking Top College Football Programs
15:41 Discussing Marcus Freeman’s future potential
18:00 Ranking Texas colleges in football
21:25 Debating the top ten college teams
26:03 Discussing end-of-season matchups
29:21 Ohio State’s tough road games
31:40 Predicting the Washington-Indiana contest

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

The calibre of stablemates Persian Wonder and Krasina was evident as both achieved maiden victories at Canterbury, with Persian Wonder’s win being particularly hard-fought.

Persian Wonder, who had demonstrated potential in significant autumn two-year-old contests, including a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Baillieu Handicap (1400m), settled in second position and appeared to be under considerable pressure approaching the home turn in Wednesday’s Robrick Lodge Handicap (1200m).

Under strong urging from jockey Zac Lloyd, the colt fought on gamely in the closing stages to overcome the leader Yoshida by a clear length, recording a gritty triumph.

“It’s obviously not the way to ride him, but I thought I’d give him every chance to tough it out, and that he did,” Lloyd stated. “As you can see in his past few replays, he is quite a lazy horse and he’s going to benefit when he gets a bit of headgear on. We’ve just got to wait for him to be mentally ready.

“I knew he was going to keep responding, and once he got a couple of reminders, he really stretched and went on with the job.”

The successful combination of Lloyd and trainer David Payne struck again a race later when Krasina ($1.80 fav) overcame a luckless third placing behind Why So Hard at Randwick last month to break her maiden in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1200m).

While Payne was not on course, Lloyd expressed his satisfaction at securing a midweek double for the respected horseman, noting the long-standing rapport between the Lloyd and Payne families, including Zac Lloyd’s father, Jeff Lloyd.

” Lloyd and Payne go a long way back, so it’s good when I can ride winners for David,” Zac Lloyd said. “It was good to see her be able to put herself in a spot where you’re not relying so much on luck.

“The form was there. She was the best horse in the race, so I rode her accordingly and she has done that very comfortably.”

Despite a small team, Payne has a promising group of rising three-year-olds, with Bangkok Hottie, a Randwick winner in April, scheduled to trial at Rosehill on Friday in preparation for the Princess Series.

Betting markets for the Canterbury races are now open at leading Australian betting sites.

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif opined that Zimbabwe must be relishing the opportunity to face a vulnerable Team India, who are on the back of a seven-match winless run after series losses in Ireland and England. The Shreyas Iyer-led side recently lost the No.1 ranking in T20Is and will face Zimbabwe in a three-match series in Harare, from July 23 onwards.

Team India are in dire straits at the moment after the recent string of losses, with Shreyas Iyer facing a nightmare start as captain since taking over from Suryakumar Yadav. The defending T20 champions showed glaring cracks in their setup and are on the lookout to get back to winning ways in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe have lost both their recent home series against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but pose a challenge to an Indian side far from their best in terms of confidence and prowess. The visitors have a second-string bowling attack, with a lot of new faces eager to make a statement.

Mohammad Kaif noted that the demoralised Indian side will face a challenge in the form of a motivated Zimbabwe team looking to replicate Ireland’s recent heroics.

“At this time, Zimbabwe must be sharpening their bats and swords because the state in which Indian cricket is in, they will be thinking, ‘We have a chance’. The situation we are in is really very bad. You have lost all the T20Is, won one ODI, and lost that series as well. So, the overall morale is down,” he said on Cricbuzz.

“We had defeated Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match in Chennai, but the form and the state we are in, Zimbabwe will certainly fancy their chances now of defeating India,” he added.

The two sides had faced each other in a high-scoring contest just a few months before. On that occasion, the Men in Blue won by 72 runs despite Brian Bennett’s memorable heroics during the run chase.

“This is a good opportunity to try out some new players” – Zaheer Khan on new Indian players being included in ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is

The selection committee sprang several surprises while naming the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. The biggest takeaway was Sanju Samson being dropped, while new names like Yash Thakur, Prabhsimran Singh and Ashok Sharma, earned their first call-up.

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan feels that the Zimbabwe T20Is presents itself as a solid avenue to shake things up after the usual combination failed to deliver in Ireland and England.

“Who you are playing against is a matter of later, what matters is how you approach these games. We have seen it before as well that in T20 format, everyone has a good opportunity. This is a good opportunity to try out some new players. There has hardly been a break between these series, so in that respect, these youngsters should definitely take advantage of the opportunity,” Zaheer Khan said.

Team India have an overall dominant record against Zimbabwe in T20Is, losing only three out of 14 meetings since 2010.