India vs Zimbabwe: KL Rahul injured again, Deepak Chahar, Washington Sundar make comeback to ODI fold

India will play 3 ODIs in Zimbabwe on August 18, 20 and 22. Off-spinner Washington Sundar, who has made a stellar start to his English county career with Lancashire is back in the squad along with seamer Deepak 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 the 2022 IPL season.

"KL Rahul has recovered from COVID-19 but his hamstring injury seems to have resurfaced. He was supposed to be picked for Zimbabwe but now one can't put a date on his comeback," a senior BCCI source privy to development told PTI on Saturday. 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 the Asia Cup till the end of World T20. Hence this is a two-week window after the 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 come back 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.