Reports: Virat Kohli informed selectors that he would be available from Asia Cup

Former India captain Virat Kohli was not named in the squad for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.

A 15-man member squad to face Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series next month was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, 30th of July. Rohit Sharma will continue his hiatus in the 50-over format, while Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side once again in his absence. But Virat Kohli’s absence, as expected, still remains a mystery. 

Kohli’s place in the national team has become a hot topic and his selection or non-selection in the Zimbabwe tour caused a huge stir. The star batters’ languid form has concerned several experts with important events looming large, first and foremost the Asia Cup. The former Indian captain is taking a break from the game to rediscover his much-maligned form with the bat over the last couple of years.

According to a media source, the senior batter had a conversation with the national selectors and stated that he would be available for the Asia Cup later next month. Notably, the Indian team has a hectic schedule following the Asia cup to the T20 World Cup in Australia, commencing in October.

“Virat had spoken to selectors that he would be available from the Asia Cup onwards. The first team players will hardly get rest from Asia Cup till end of World T20. Hence this is a two-week window after Windies tour when they can rest,” a source was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Deepak Chahar completes his long-awaited return to the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe ODIs

Meanwhile, the Indian team sees the return of pace-bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar to the squad, who has been out of action for the last five months following his hamstring and back injuries. Prodigious off-spinner Washington Sundar has also been recalled to the squad, after a stellar showing with Lancashire in the county championship. 

Suryakumar Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh who played the ODI series in the Caribbean have been omitted to form the squad along with senior pros Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. 

Squad: 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, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar.