Chahar, Sundar picked for Zimbabwe ODIs; Rahul's return delayed

Senior opener KL Rahul has been left out of the India squad which will travel to Zimbabwe for an ODI series next month after COVID-19 delayed his return from a long injury lay-off, while Washington Sundar and Deepak Chahar made their comebacks.

India will play 3 ODIs in Zimbabwe on August 18, 20 and 22.

"I wanted to clarify a couple of things about my health and fitness. My surgery in June was successful and I had begun my training with hope of returning to national duty for the tour of West Indies. Unfortunately as I was returning to full fitness, I tested positive for Covid 19," Rahul tweeted on Saturday.

"This naturally pushes things back by a couple of weeks but I aim to recover as quickly as possible and be available for selection as quickly as I can," he added.

"To represent the country is highest honour and I cannot wait to get out there back in blue."

Off-spinner Sundar, who has made a stellar start to his English county career with Lancashire is back in the squad along with seamer Chahar after successful completion of his rehabilitation following  hamstring and back injuries.

Chahar has not played competitive cricket for five months now and also missed IPL 2022.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have all been rested from the tour as ODIs aren't top priority for the side with less than three months left for the World T20.

"Virat had spoken to selectors that he would be available from the Asia Cup onwards. The first team players will hardly get rest from Asia Cup till end of World T20. Hence this is a two-week window after Windies tour when they can rest," the source said.

Washington's comeback was on expected lines as he has had a rough last one year due to a hand injury and contracting COVID-19.

He has had a successful rehabilitation at NCA and in the three games that he has played for Lancashire, he has already picked up a five wicket haul.

"In case of Washington it was never about how but when would he comeback as he has been India's No. 1 finger spinner. He needed game time which he got," the source added.

As usual Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side in Rohit, Rahul and Pant's absence.

Most of the players who had been part of set-up have been picked with rookie Rahul Tripathi, after being part of squad in Ireland T20Is, getting maiden call up to ODI side.

India's squad for Zimbabwe ODIs: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (w/k), Sanju Samson (w/k), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar.