KL Rahul to miss Zimbabwe tour due to delayed recovery

After aggravating his hamstring injury, India's veteran opener KL Rahul has been ruled out of the team that will visit Zimbabwe for an ODI series next month. This move may jeopardise his chances of playing in the T20 World Cup.

Although Rahul had a successful sports hernia surgery for a lower abdomen injury, it is reported that he is still not fully recovered. He's still got hamstring pain.

On August 18, 20, and 22, three one-day international matches (ODIs) will be played in Zimbabwe.

"Regarding my fitness and health, I wanted to clarify a few points. With the goal of returning to national service for the tour to the West Indies, I started my training after my operation in June, which was successful. Sadly, I tested positive for Covid 19 when I was getting back to my peak fitness "He tweeted.

In the UAE, for the Asia Cup, he indicated the desire to return.

"This naturally pushes things back by a couple of weeks but I aim to recover as quickly as possible and be available for selection as quickly as I can," he further wrote.

"To represent the country is highest honour and I cannot wait to get out there back in blue."

Off-spinner Washington Sundar, who has had an outstanding start to his English county career with Lancashire, has successfully finished his rehabilitation following hamstring and back injuries. Deepak Chahar, a seamer, has also returned to the squad.

Since Chahar last played in a match, five months have passed. He also missed the 2022 IPL season.

"Although KL Rahul has healed from COVID-19, it appears that his hamstring problem has returned. He was scheduled to be chosen for Zimbabwe, but his return date is now unknown "On Saturday, a top BCCI source with knowledge of the situation told PTI.

With fewer than three months until the World T20, ODIs aren't the team's primary priority, therefore Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya have all been sidelined from the tour.

"Virat informed the selectors that he would be available beginning with the Asia Cup. The first team players won't have much time to rest between the Asia Cup and the World T20. Consequently, after the Windies tour, they have a two-week window to rest "explained the source.

Washington's return was as anticipated given that he had a difficult last year as a result of a hand injury and COVID-19 infection.

His recovery at NCA was successful, and in the three games he has played for Lancashire, he has already taken five wickets.

"Since Washington was India's top finger spinner, the question in Washington's case was never how but when would he return. He need gaming time, which he received "Added the source.

In place of Rohit, Rahul, and Pant, Shikhar Dhawan will serve as the team's captain as usual.

The majority of the previously selected players have been chosen, with rookie Rahul Tripathi receiving his first ODI call-up after participating in the Ireland T20I team.

The following players will be part of the Indian team for the three one-day internationals: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket keeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasi