KL Rahul cleared to play; replaces Shikhar Dhawan as captain of Team India in 3 ODIs against Zimbabwe

In what comes as a major boost for team India ahead of Asia Cup 2022, Indian vice-captain KL Rahul has been declared fit by BCCI medical team. He will be seen leading the Men in Blue in the three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe.

Shikhar Dhawan, who was originally named as captain will now act as Rahul’s deputy for the tour. 

“The BCCI medical team has assessed KL Rahul and cleared him to play in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has appointed him the captain of the side and named Shikhar Dhawan as his deputy,” a BCCI statement said. 

NEWS – KL Rahul cleared to play; set to lead Team India in Zimbabwe.

More details here – https://t.co/GVOcksqKHS #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/1SdIJYu6hv

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 11, 2022

The star India opener was sidelined from cricketing action after the culmination of IPL 2022. Rahul was named the captain for the five-match T20I series at home against South Africa in June. However, a groin injury on the eve of the series opener ruled him out of the series. 

He later underwent a sports hernia surgery in Germany and missed the entire tour of England as well. The 30-year-old was then set to return during India’s T20I series against West Indies, but he tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the tour. 

India’s 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), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Akshar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar.