Explained: Why Indian jersey for Zimbabwe T20Is has only one star despite T20 World Cup win

The Indian cricket team embarked on their tour of Zimbabwe with the inaugural T20I match in Harare on Saturday. Following the victorious return of the senior players from the T20 World Cup 2024, the selectors made the strategic decision to field a relatively young team led by Shubman Gill. 

Despite securing their second T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final, the Indian team's jersey for the T20I series against Zimbabwe bears only one star. The stars adorning a team's jersey symbolize the number of times they have emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup, with India achieving this monumental feat on two occasions - in 2007 and 2024.

The reason for the one-star rating can be attributed to the timing of events. The Indian cricket team departed for Zimbabwe before the T20 World Cup final, resulting in them wearing jerseys that were designed prior to their departure. The jersey with two stars was revealed by Sanju Samson after the Indian cricket team returned to India from Barbados, following a significant delay.

As a result, the old jersey does not feature two stars. However, it is anticipated that the jerseys to be used in upcoming series will display two stars to signify the team's two victories.

Meanwhile, India's captain, Shubman Gill, won the toss and chose to field against Zimbabwe.

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