India tour of Zimbabwe: Updates, squads, schedule, more

The Men in Blue returns to Zimbabwe after six years for a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, beginning on August 18. The Harare Sports Club will host all three matches.

A number of senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been rested for the tour, while pacer Deepak Chahar will make a comeback.

Zimbabwe lost the previous nine ODIs in Harare against India. As senior players prepare for the Asia Cup, India will be led on this tour by KL Rahul. Shikhar Dhawan was originally named captain, but Rahul retook the place after passing a fitness test.

The Chevrons recently defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in their first bilateral T20I series against a higher-ranked team. Following that, they claimed another 2-1 win in a one-day international series, also against Bangladesh.

The squad for this tour comprises Rahul as captain, Dhawan as vice-captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Subhuman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan plus Sanju Samson as wicket-keepers, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, and Deepak Chahar.

The Zimbabwe squad will have Chakabva Regis as captain, Ryan Burl, Chivanga Tanaka, Evans Bradley, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Innocent, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wesley, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masara John, Munyonga Tony, Ngarava Richard, Nyauchi Victor, Raza Sikandar, Shumba Milton, and Tiripano Donald.

The first match is set for Thursday, August 18. The second ODI will take place on Saturday, August 20, and the third match will be on Monday, August 22. All matches will begin at 12:45 PM IST.

The SONY SPORTS Network will broadcast all of the matches live. The SonyLIV app and website will host the live stream.

Coach should pay attention to Rahul and Chahar

Indian cricket selectors have asked the team coach VVS Laxman to pay attention to Rahul and Chahar's fitness because both players are returning from injuries.

“Rahul and Chahar are important cog in the wheels of Indian cricket team,” one of the selectors told InsideSport.

“We want them to be completely fit. We have requested Laxman to monitor them. Rahul has to join the squad for Asia Cup. Chahar is also on radar. We just want them to stay completely fit.”

Rahul returned to the Indian team after recovering from sports hernia surgery and COVID-19. Rahul's most recent appearance was in the IPL in late May. Chahar played his last game in February before missing the entire IPL season.

The BCCI has selected Gill, Rahul, Dhawan, Kishan, and Gaikwad as openers.

'India is not going to be easy’

In an interview with IANS, Burl discussed the upcoming series against India.

“We would like to try and win the series,” the Zimbabwe all-rounder said. “How we do that, I don’t mind that as long as we get the wins. But it’s India and one of the best teams in the world.”

“They are not going to put up an easy fight; it’s going to be difficult. Hopefully, with our home ground advantage, we can try and pull a cat out of the hat and put out something special.”

Burl said Rishabh Pant was his main inspiration. However, he will not meet Pant on this tour because Samson and Kishan will be the primary wicket-keeping options. Pant is currently resting for the upcoming Asia Cup. He has yet to face Zimbabwe in his professional life. Meanwhile, Burl will face India for the first time in the ODI series.