KL Rahul to lead India against Zimbabwe

KL Rahul has been cleared to play the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe and will lead the Indian team, BCCI confirmed on Thursday. Medium pacer Deepak Chahar also made a return to the team after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in February.

"The BCCI Medical Team has assessed KL Rahul and cleared him to play in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has appointed him the captain of the side and named Shikhar Dhawan as his deputy," an official release said.

Rahul, who was part of India's tour of West Indies, was rested for the series after he tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in the Caribbean.

Regular captain Rohit Sharma, Vira Kohli and Rishabh Pant were all rested for the series starting on August 18 while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been sidelined due to an injury.

Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are the designated wicket-keepers in the 16-player squad while spin bowling allrounder Washington Sundar and top-order batter Rahul Tripathi have also returned to the side.

Chahr, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammad Siraj are the pace-bowling options for India while Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington and Deepak Hooda are the spin options.

Chakabva to lead Zimbabwe, Muzarabani sidelined

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will be without their key trio Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Wellington Masakadza as batter Regis Chabakva has been named captain of the 17-player squad for the series against India.

According to a press release issued by Zimbabwe Cricket, "Chakabva will lead the home side in the absence of regular captain Craig Ervine who is still nursing a left hamstring tear."

Zimbabwe will also be without Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Wellington Masakadza who are recuperating from thigh muscle tear, collarbone fracture and shoulder tendon injuries respectively.

Zimbabwe have recently beaten Bangladesh in the T20I and ODI series at home.

India are set to take on Zimbabwe on August 18, 20 and 22 at the Harare Sports Club.

India’s squad: KL Rahul (Captain) Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (Captain), Tanaka Chivanga, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, John Masara, Tony Munyonga , Richard Ngarava , Victor Nyauchi , Sikandar Raza , Milton Shumba , Donald Tiripano.