The Indian Cricket Board announced India’s squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour on Saturday. Shikhar Dhawan has been announced as the captain of the ODI team and VVS Laxman as the head coach and manager of the team. India are scheduled to play three ODIs against Zimbabwe from 18th August.
The India team for the Zimbabwe tour has rested many senior players keeping the upcoming Asia Cup in mind. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal and Rishabh Pant have been rested from the tour.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli who was expected to cut back his vacation and re-join the team has also been given a miss. The right-hand batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad makes his comeback into the side along with all-rounder Washington Sundar. Rahul Tripathi, who has been doing well in domestic cricket and India T20 League, has got a maiden ODI call-up to the national side.
Shubman Gill, who impressed all with his batting in the recently concluded ODI series against West Indies, retains his place in the squad. Deepak Hooda, who has enjoyed a rich vein of form since the Indian T20 League, also earns a spot in the Indian side. Ishan Kishan, the costliest player of this edition’s Indian T20 League, also finds a place in the side for the Zimbabwe tour.
Kuldeep Yadav, who was out with an injury since the Indian T20 League, has finally passed the fitness test and is included in the Zimbabwe tour. Deepak Chahar, who missed the Indian T20 League with injury, marks his return.
Arshdeep Singh has been performing exceptionally well whenever he gets the chance but has unfortunately not been included in the ODI squad for Zimbabwe.
India is currently playing a five-match T20I series against West Indies, the first of which was won by India by a huge 68 runs.
Here’s a look at the complete squad:
Shikhar Dhawan (Capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar.
Let’s look at some of the reactions in Twitter upon India’s squad announcement.
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Our ? #CaptainGabbar is all set to lead Team India once again!
After a successful tour of the Windies, will they get the job done in Zimbabwe? #PunjabKings #SaddaPunjab #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/gwhEbEY1bJ
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) July 30, 2022
Highlights of India's ODI squad against Zimbabwe series:-
•Virat Kohli will not play this series.
•Shikhar Dhawan to lead.
•KL Rahul will not play.
•Rohit, Pant, Bhuvi, Shami, Bumrah rested.
•Maiden ODI call up for Rahul Tripathi.
•Deepak Chahar and Sundar returns.— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 30, 2022
India's ODI squad against Zimbabwe highlights:
– All seniors including Rohit and Virat rested.
– No KL Rahul as well.
– Rahul Tripathi earns maiden call up.
– Sanju Samson and Kishan WKs.
– Deepak Chahar and Sundar returns.
– Ruturaj Gaikwad makes a comeback to the squad.— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 30, 2022
Bilateral white ball international #cricket now seems to be a tick the box exercise, with a lot of top players missing ODIs specifically. India tour to Zimbabwe could we have been designated just as an India A tour #CricketTwitter
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) July 31, 2022
KL Rahul is also not part of India's squad for Zimbabwe ODI series. So most likely he will return through Asia Cup.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 30, 2022
Who will keep for india vs Zimbabwe? Both ishan and sanju will be in the eleven I guess…
— athul joju (@athuljoju) July 31, 2022
? #klrahul not a part of India squad for Zimbabwe.?.
Gaya bhai ab agle saal IPL mein dekhenge usko.— Kl Rahul's Cover Drive (@KlCoverdrive) July 30, 2022
Zimbabwe vs India ODI series will be streamed on ICC website.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 29, 2022
Last time india lost to Zimbabwe was in 2000
Can’t say the same with pak
Last time pak lost to zim was in 2021 ??— Shailesh ? (@shailesh__9) July 31, 2022
@BCCI Zimbabwe is not the correct team to test Deepak Chahar. It is just that he is given an opportunity for him to play for India.
— Srinivas Rao (@nityanushtanam) July 31, 2022