Seniors likely to be rested for Zim series

Selectors will decide if injured skipper MS Dhoni along with other seniors should be rested when they pick the squad on Friday for the upcoming five-match ODI series in Zimbabwe.

The selectors had retained the Champions Trophy squad for the tri-nation series in West Indies but the players have played non-stop cricket in the last few months and the discussion is likely to centre around who needs to be rested.

Dhoni was ruled out of the tri-series due to a hamstring injury and it is not known if he will be available for the series against Zimbabwe, commencing July 24.

If Dhoni is rested, Virat Kohli will have to continue leading the side. The selectors may look at the option of recalling senior opener Gautam Gambhir to lend some more experience to the team.

Gambhir lost his place in the team due to his recent poor form with the bat.

But with Murali Vijay being sidelined after Rohit Sharma’s promotion, a case could be made for Gambhir’s recall.

Vijay did not play a single game in the Champions Trophy and when included in the second match against Sri Lanka in the tri-series could not capitalise on the good start and fell for 30.
An injury to Irfan Pathan forced the selectors to bring in Shami Ahmed, one of the probables named for the Windies tour, and later they had to substitute Dhoni by including another reserve player Ambati Rayudu.

The two players may keep their place if the selectors choose to rest one or two bowlers along with senior batsmen.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was not in list of the reserves as he was recovering from injury, would be fancying his chances, as he can lend substance to the middle order due to the unavailability of Manoj Tiwary, another probable, who has been ruled out of action for four months with a knee injury.

Two of the selectors - Syed Saba Karim and Rajinder Singh Hans - are currently in the West Indies.