Zimbabwe National Cricket Team captain Sikandar Raza has sent a strong warning to the India National Cricket Team ahead of the three-match T20I series, starting on July 23 in Harare. Sikandar Raza said that his team is ready to challenge the T20 World Cup champions at home.

Despite India's strong reputation, Raza believes that the upcoming T20I series will be a close contest and not a one-sided affair, adding spice to their recent embarrassments on the Ireland and England tour. Captain Shreyas Iyer is under immense pressure after losing 6 of 7 completed T20Is. Earlier, Sikandar Raza sends big message to India over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of T20I series.

Sikandar Raza warns Shreyas Iyer's struggling Team India ahaed of the T20I series

The Men in Blue are entering the Zimbabwe tour after their forgettable performances in white-ball cricket. Under Shreyas Iyer, they lost the two-match T20I series 0-2 against Ireland in Belfast before suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat in the five-match T20I series against England.

They also failed to impress in the ODI series as well under Shubman Gill and lost the three-match series to England 2-1. Looking at India's recent performances, Sikandar Raza feels both teams have an equal opportunity to win the upcoming T20I series.

The Zimbabwe captain also reminded everyone about his team's recent impressive performances in the format. One of their biggest achievements came during the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Zimbabwe shocked Australia with a stunning 23-run victory in Colombo.

Both team will have an equal chance in this series: Sikandar Raza

Zimbabwe’s famous win played a major role in Australia's unexpected exit from the tournament. Zimbabwe also won the crucial T20I series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh this year. And Raza stressed that these victories are enough for his team to trounce India at home.

Sikandar Raza said on Star Sports: “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.

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.” Earlier, Saba Karim sends big message after Rohit Sharma's stunning Lord's century.

Sikandar Raza says India's transition gives Zimbabwe a big opportunity

The seasoned all-rounder has pointed out another reason the upcoming T20I series will be closely fought: because both teams are going through a rebuilding phase.

While the Men in Blue are trying new players under a new T20I captain, Zimbabwe are also making changes to their squad and preparing a fresh group of players for the future.

Raza signed off by saying, “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 a transition. I don't see it will be a one-sided series.”

🚨 BIG STATEMENT by Sikandar Raza ahead of the Zimbabwe vs India series! 🇿🇼🇮🇳

🗣️ "Both teams have an equal chance of winning the series."

Raza said India are going through a transition, while Zimbabwe are also in a transition phase. He believes Zimbabwe have been playing… pic.twitter.com/9GIafAInUl

— Spotlight Central (@avbvikash1810) July 21, 2026

Notably, both the Indian and Zimbabwean teams have met 10 times in T20 Internationals, with the Men in Blue winning seven matches while the latter claimed three victories. They faced each other last time during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, where India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs.