Dhoni to lead India in Zimbabwe, Shardul Thakur surprise inclusion in test squad for WI tour

Dhoni-getting--ready--to--b
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead an young and inexperienced side to Zimbabwe.

Internet Desk: Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead a young and inexperienced side for the ODI & T20 series in Zimbabwe. While the selectors have included Dhoni for Zimbabwe tour but at the same time they have rested seniors like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina.

BCCI sources had earlier said the selectors would not consider the seniors for Zimbabwe as the board felt they needed some rest after a long cricket season. However, it was reported that the selectors had left it to Dhoni to decide whether or not he would be touring with a young team. It also puts an end to the speculation that he might retire from international cricket.

India ODI squad

Yuvraj Singh, who was part of the T20 side since the tour of Australia early this year and played crucial knocks in the Asia Cup T20 and the World T20, has also not been named in the squad. The flamboyant all-rounder missed India’s semi-final defeat against West Indies in the World T20 but made a decent comeback during the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

India is supposed to play three ODI’s and T20I’s in Zimbabwe. The ODI’s will be played on June 11, 13 and 15 while the three T20s have been scheduled for June 18, 20 and 22. All the matches would be played in Harare.

Among the new faces that have made the cut are Faiz Fazal, Jayant Yadav, KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh and Yuzuvendra Chahal. Vidarbha left handed opening batsman Faiz Fazal got rewarded for doing well in NKP Salve Challenger Trophy. The selectors have preferred Haryana spinners Jayant Yadav along with Yuzuvendra Chahal. Chahal, who represents Royal Challengers Bangalore has been very impressive in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The leg spinner is now the holder of purple cap. Another RCB batsman KL Rahul also got rewarded for his brilliant form with the bat in the ongoing IPL. Punjab middle order batsman Mandeep Singh also got his dues for showing consistency in scoring runs in domestic cricket.

India test squad

The Indian selectors also announced the 15-memeber squad for the upcoming test tour of West Indies. India are scheduled to play a four Tests against West Indies, as it will also be the first bilateral affair between the two nations since late 2014. Ajinkya Rahane was named the vice-captain for the side, while the side would be led by regular skipper Virat Kohli.

Mumbai bowler Shardul Thakur is the only new face in the test side. The right arm fast bowler was the seventh highest wicket keeper in Ranji Trophy last season with 41 wickets.

Test squad for West Indies tour: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Stuart Binny.

ODI & T20 squad for Zimbabwe tour: MS Dhoni (C), KL Rahul, Faiz Fazal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jarpreet Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Yadav, Jaidev Unadkat, Yuzuvendra Chawal