IND vs ZIM LIVE: KL Rahul Zimbabwe Tour: KL Rahul’s return to Team India has created a selection headache for the team management. Rahul is yet to have a fixed batting spot in ODIs and has been shuffled around depending on players and captain Rohit Sharma’s availability. With no Rohit on the Zimbabwe tour, the opener’s slot is open to three-way competition. But the middle-order and bowling combination are two other puzzles the team management needs to solve. Follow India vs Zimbabwe LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
- Who will open with Shikhar Dhawan?
- Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi – who Will be dropped?
- What will be the bowling combination?
IND vs ZIM LIVE: KL Rahul RETURNS but three SELECTION PUZZLES Team India must SOLVE for Zimbabwe Tour, Follow LIVE Updates
KL Rahul became a last-minute addition and was elevated to the captaincy role ahead of Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday. He passed the required fitness test and that cleared his way for his return ahead of Asia Cup 2022. But it’s his batting position that creates a dilemma.
Where will KL Rahul bat? – The team management would want to send him to open with Shikhar Dhawan to prepare for the Asia Cup. But that would mean Shubman Gill will have to negotiate a place in the crowded middle-order.
Deepak Hooda’s position has been flexible and could be slotted in from the opening to No 6 depending on the situation. However, Shubman Gill has just returned to the opening slot in ODIs and did remarkably well on the West Indies tour. Dropping him would dent his confidence and spoil his run of good form.
IND vs ZIM LIVE: KL Rahul RETURNS but three SELECTION PUZZLES Team India must SOLVE for Zimbabwe Tour, Follow LIVE Updates
IND vs ZIM LIVE: Selection puzzles Team Management must solve
- KL Rahul is likely to open with Shikhar Dhawan to prepare for Asia Cup.
- That will force Shubman Gill out or will have to negotiate a place in the middle-order.
- Gill has been in excellent form and should get a longer run.
- Deepak Hooda is all set to keep his place at No 5 or 6.
- That opens up the possibility of Gill batting at No 4 with Ishan Kishan taking the No 3 slot.
- But it will force either Sanju Samson or Rahul Tripathi out of the Playing XI.
- As for all-rounders, Axar Patel and Deepak Chahar are set to get the nod as they are in standbys for the Asia Cup.
- Washington Sundar would have made it ahead of Axar but as he has suffered another injury setback, he is likely to miss the trip.
- It could be difficult for Shardul to find a place.
- As for spinners, Kuldeep Yadav will play all three matches as the specialist spinner.
IND vs ZIM LIVE: KL Rahul RETURNS but three SELECTION PUZZLES Team India must SOLVE for Zimbabwe Tour, Follow LIVE Updates
Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi – who Will be dropped?
India have multiple choices for No 3 to No 6 slots. Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi. Deepak Hooda is all set to keep his place as he gives an all-round option. But India will have to drop one.
Ishan Kishan is the other option but he has already been dumped out of the T20 team without any fault of his own. The return of bigwigs means young Ishan has to wait for his chance. But is there a place for him in ODIs?
Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson were preferred ahead of Ishan. But with Shreyas not part of the ODI squad, will Ishan take the NO 3 slot? But that could force Sanju Samson out of the Playing XI.
What will be the bowling combination? – Considering the recent matches in Zimbabwe, the pitches are expected to aid spinners. That will see Axar Patel and Kuldeep play with Deepak Hooda being the sixth bowling option. Prasidh Krishna, Deepak Chahar and one of Siraj or Avesh Khan will make the three-prong pace attack.
IND vs ZIM LIVE: KL Rahul RETURNS but three SELECTION PUZZLES Team India must SOLVE for Zimbabwe Tour, Follow LIVE Updates
India Probable Playing XI vs ZIM
- KL Rahul (Captain)
- Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain)
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Shubman Gill
- Deepak Hooda
- Sanju Samson / Rahul Tripathi
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Deepak Chahar
- Prasidh Krishna
- Mohd Siraj
India’s squad for 3 ODIs: KL Rahul (Captain) Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Subhuman 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.
IND vs ZIM LIVE: KL Rahul RETURNS but three SELECTION PUZZLES Team India must SOLVE for Zimbabwe Tour, Follow LIVE Updates
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