Why is Mukesh Kumar not playing today's IND vs ZIM 3rd T20I?
Team India pacer Mukesh Kumar will sit out in the third T20I of the ongoing five-match series against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 10. The 30-year-old played the first two T20Is but has been rested for today's crucial encounter with the series tied at one apiece.
Mukesh had miserly figures of 1/16 in three overs in the series opener but India suffered a shocking 13-run defeat. He enjoyed another fruitful outing in the second T20I with figures of 3/37 in India's 100-run win to level the series.
Skipper Shubman Gill confirmed Mukesh being rested for the all-important third T20I after winning the toss and electing to bat first.
"We'll bat first. Hopefully the moisture will help us. We've got the WC back, Sanju, Jaiswal and Shivam are in. So is Khaleel, Mukesh rests for this one. We feel we have a balanced side," said Gill via Cricbuzz.
India made several other changes with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Khaleel Ahmed, and Shivam Dube replacing Riyan Parag, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Mukesh Kumar.
Zimbabwe made two changes with Richard Ngarava and Tadiwanashe Marumani replacing Luke Jongwe and Innocent Kaia.
Mukesh Kumar wrecked Zimbabwe's top order in India's series leveling win
After the shocking defeat in the opening encounter, Team India were faced with a near must-win in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. The Men in Blue rebounded from a dismal batting display in the opener and scored a massive 234/2 in 20 overs.
Mukesh Kumar led the Indian bowling heroics with a wicket off the innings' third delivery, removing opener Innocent Kaia. The 30-year-old was not done yet as he cleaned up the dangerous-looking Brian Bennett for 26 off 9 to reduce Zimbabwe to 40/2 in three overs.
Mukesh's two early wickets set the ball rolling as the rest of the Indian bowlers joined the party to bowl the African side for a paltry 134. The medium pacer also picked up the final wicket, dismissing Luke Jongwe for a 26-ball 33.
Since debuting for India in all formats last year, Mukesh has shown glimpses of his skill with 28 wickets in 25 games.