India's predicted playing XI for the 5th T20I vs Zimbabwe

Team India are set to lock horns with Zimbabwe in the fifth and final T20I on Sunday, July 14. The Men in Blue have already clinched the series and could use this opportunity to try a few new strategies.

India, who had to call upon reinforcements for the first two T20Is, now have a full squad to choose from. They could opt to make a couple of changes to maximize the chances given to fringe players.

India’s squad for the T20Is against Zimbabwe: Shubman Gill (c), 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, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wk).

On that note, here is India's predicted playing XI for the fifth T20I against Zimbabwe.

Openers: Shubman Gill (c) and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have clicked in tandem in the last two games, and that will bode well for India in the long run. While there is a case for them to be rested, the former is the captain and the latter has only played two of the four matches thus far.

While the think tank could be tempted to try out a new combination at the top of the order, Gill and Jaiswal continuing to open seems the likelier option.

Middle order: Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar

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Ruturaj Gaikwad has done his bit in two of the three innings he has batted. While he isn't a certainty in the XI and still has something to play for, India might want to give Riyan Parag another chance. So Gaikwad, who doesn't offer a bowling option, could be rested for the final T20I despite not getting to bat yesterday.

The rest of the middle order should wear a similar look. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube could be used up the order to give them some batting time in the series, with Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar following them in the pecking order.

Abhishek Sharma, who shares fifth-bowler duties and bats at No. 3, will have an important role to play.

Lower order: Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Khaleel Ahmed

Mukesh Kumar has been on the bench in the last two games [Image Courtesy: BCCI on X]

India handed Tushar Deshpande a debut in the last game and are expected to field the seamer once again. Khaleel Ahmed hasn't been too impressive since making his international comeback but could be given another chance to make a mark.

Mukesh Kumar will continue to sit out, with Ravi Bishnoi playing as the lead spinner. Harshit Rana presumably isn't part of the squad after being named for the first two T20Is alone. If the youngster is available for selection, India should certainly consider playing him.