KL Rahul

After Shubman Gill's top-class maiden ODI century, 130 off 97 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six took India to 289-8, Zimbabwe were down and out in the run chase at 169-7. In came Sikandar Raza and he slammed 115 off 95 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, to bring Zimbabwe on the verge of a huge victory. Raza also shared a 104-run stand off 79 balls with Brad Evans (28), who had earlier taken his maiden five-for in ODI cricket, 5-54 in ten overs, as a boisterous home crowd cheered them on.

After a near three-month layoff due to a sports hernia and Covid-19, Rahul is all set to lead India in three-match ODI series. When he takes the field on Thursday, it will be only his second full series as captain. "You might be out for two months but they haven't forgotten what you have done for the team and the country in the last two-three years.Players actually thrive in such an environment.

NCA head VVS Laxman was also spotted, suggesting that he could be the head coach for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. When the Indian team was in England for the rescheduled fifth Test in Edgbaston, Laxman was with the T20I squad as the head coach in Ireland and was present for the first T20I at Southampton as well. India enter the series after defeating West Indies 3-0 in Trinidad in July. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are on a high after an impressive 2-1 series win over Bangladesh at home, coming after another 2-1 series win over them in T20Is.

The 30-year-old Rahul has been out of action for a while with a sports hernia, with Covid-19 extending his stint on the sidelines. Shikhar Dhawan was initially named as the captain for this tour. But with Rahul being given the go-ahead, he has been appointed as the captain with Dhawan taking deputy duties. ''The BCCI Medical Team has assessed KL Rahul and cleared him to play in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe.

Out-of-form batters Kohli and opener Rahul have made a comeback to T20Is through the 15-member squad for Asia Cup 2022 announced late on Monday. But pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will not be a part of the competition due to back injury. Harshal Patel also misses out due to a rib injury. The Asia Cup is of vital importance for Rohit Sharma and his side as India's performance in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year was abysmal, to say the least.

In a video posted on July 26 by the BCCI on their Twitter account about T20I squad members like Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dinesh Karthik among others joining the ODI team in Trinidad, netizens were curious about where Rahul was.

Rahul, who is currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is now likely to miss the T20I series, which is scheduled to be played across three venues -- Trinidad, St Kitts and Florida (US) -- from July 29 to August 7. The 30-year-old recently had groin surgery in Germany. After the successful completion of operation.

Rahul thanked everyone for messages and prayers, saying his road to recovery has begun following a "tough couple of weeks". "Hello everyone. It's been a tough couple of weeks but the surgery was successful. I'm healing and recovering well. My road to recovery has begun. Thank you for your messages and prayers. See you soon," KL Rahul shared a post on the Koo app.

It means that Rahul will miss the England tour entirely, where India are to play the Edgbaston Test from July 1 to 5 and three T20Is, followed by as many ODIs. He was named vice-captain under Rohit Sharma for the Edgbaston Test but now, the Indian selection committee will have to name another deputy in place of Rahul.

Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant will lead India in Rahul's absence while Hardik Pandya has been named the vice-captain for the home series against South Africa. "Team India Captain KL Rahul has been ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa owing to a right groin injury while Kuldeep Yadav will miss out in the T20I series after getting hit on his right hand while batting in the nets last evening," the BCCI said in a statement.