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Xtra Time Web Desk: The All-India Senior Selection Committee on Tuesday named Shahbaz Ahmed as the replacement for Washington Sundar for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Washington injured his shoulder while playing a Royal London One Day Cup game for Lancashire in England. He has been ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour.

It is the maiden call-up for the 27-year-old Shahbaz for the national team. In his short career so far, the 27 year old has made a name as a strong lower middle-order batter and left-arm spinner, both for Bengal as well as Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

The left hander has an impressive batting average of 41.64 and a bowling average of 19.47 from 18 games. His first big break came when he got an opportunity to play for Royal Challengers in 2020, two years after making his debut for Bengal. He has so far scored 279 runs at an average of 18.60 and strike rate of 118.72 from 29 games, while also picking up 13 wickets at an average of 36.31 and economy rate of 8.58.

India will play the first ODI against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on August 18, 2022.

India squad for 3 ODIs: KL Rahul (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shahbaz Ahmed.