KL Rahul declared fit for India’s Zimbabwe ODIs, replaces Dhawan as captain

KL Rahul will make a return to the national side after being sidelined for over two months and will replace Shikhar Dhawan as captain for the three-match ODI series.

FILE PHOTO: KL Rahul will replace Shikhar Dhawan as captain for India’s upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe. | Photo Credit: VIVEK BENDRE

India opener KL Rahul has regained fitness to feature in the three-ODI tour to Zimbabwe ahead of the Asia Cup later this month.

The BCCI Medical Team has cleared Rahul to play the series on Thursday. Rahul will take over leadership duties of the side from Shikhar Dhawan who was earlier named captain of the 15-member squad.

Rahul has suffered a spate of injuries over the last two months, post the IPL 2022 season. He was ruled out of India’s tour to England and Ireland and also missed the home series against South Africa with an abdominal injury.

The 30-year-old also missed the recent limited-overs tour to West Indies after testing positive for COVID-19. Besides Rahul, all-rounders Deepak Chahar and Washington Sundar are also expected to make their international returns through the series after being sidelined with injuries over recent months.

The three-match series will be played between August 18-22 in Harare. All matches will start at 1 pm IST time.

Chakabva to lead Zimbabwe

Batter Regis Chabakva will lead Zimbabwe’s 17-member in 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 injuries.

Squads for India vs Zimbabwe ODIs

India: 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: 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.