The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a green signal to KL Rahul for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. He will lead the side in the tour, which gets underway on August 18. This means Shikhar Dhawan, who was originally appointed as the captain of the side, will slot in as Rahul’s deputy.
Rahul, who has not played international cricket since February this year, has been laid low by a series of injury and health concerns. Right after the IPL, he was scheduled to captain India in the home T20Is against South Africa but missed out owing to a groin injury. The spell on the sidelines was extended after it was revealed that the 30-year-old would require surgery. Consequently, Rahul missed the tour of England and Ireland.
He was scheduled to return at the just-concluded tour of West Indies and USA but following a positive Covid-19 result, the BCCI medical team advised him rest. He has already been named in India’s squad for the Asia Cup at the end of this month. However, given that Rahul has recovered already recovered, he has been added to the squad
Here are some of the reactions:
Happy to see KL Rahul back in action for Team India, but feeling bad how @BCCI has disrespected, the senior player like Shikhar Dhawan.
— Vishal. (@SportyVishal) August 11, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan must be feeling so gutted. Plays just one format and then to take away the captaincy just because Rahul is fit.
This is like stealing the morsel right from the child's mouth after showing it to him.#KLRahul #CricketTwitter
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu 🏏 (@APTalksCricket) August 11, 2022
Really feeling bad for @SDhawan25 . These type of stuffs should not happen in Indian cricket.
— Vishal. (@SportyVishal) August 11, 2022
This is disrespectful towards Shikhar Dhawan. He was already announced Captain for this tour. Either they shouldn't have announced the team till Kl Rahul's fitness test or Continue with Dhawan. But removing him after announcement is not good @vk100_52 https://t.co/t0sUjQyYM9
— Detective Arjun Singh (@ArjunSingh098) August 11, 2022
#ShikharDhawan #INDvsZIM : Cheating on Shikhar Dhawan? #KLRahul returns from injury, takes charge of Zimbabwe series, fans furious over insult @BCCI pic.twitter.com/Wi1qS1Jkd9
— Sports Fan Club Cricket (@SportsFanClubC1) August 12, 2022
Very Wrong Decision Taken By Selection Team…
Removing Name Of Shikhar Dhawan As Captain…#ShikharDhawan #ZIMvIND https://t.co/BHqyu8waGT— Kashyap K3 (@iKashyapK3) August 11, 2022
You should respect the senior player like shikhar dhawan…shikhar have bigger records then KL, you should not behave like this with shikhar dhawan as it was declared captain in agaist zim squad.
— Saket Khaira (@KhairaSaket) August 11, 2022
They are disrespecting legend Shikhar Dhawan…. 😔😔 https://t.co/34vxiKG2so
— Tej 11 (@ttejAMIT16) August 11, 2022
https://twitter.com/jamalbh90409274/status/1557961193800990720?s=20&t=AdT9kvJ5KEjJuWcGXE6qTQ
Shikhar Dhawan demoted to vice-captain after being named captain 🤨 https://t.co/rVLTTIdCN9
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) August 11, 2022
This is disrespect to Shikhar Dhawan. Demoted to Vice Captain after.being named Captain. https://t.co/ZT0Uwx0xyP
— Shelin Shah (@Shelin50) August 11, 2022
Yeh BCCI ko ho kya gaya hai?
What a mind for team selection for captaincy
Bimar ho to bahr raho
Theek ho to Raja bano
I am sorry shikhar dhawan ji
Ab aapka carrier kya hoga pata nahi— Raj Kumar (@Kuma56703971Raj) August 12, 2022
BC yeh kya trika hua kisi aur series mai kl rahul ko captain bna dete agr Shikhar Dhawan nhi khelta fir toh thik tha lekin aise kisi ko captaincy hatna galat baat hai
— Rahulakhnooria (@rahulakhnooria) August 12, 2022
India squad and schedule
India: KL Rahul (c), Shikhar Dhawan (vc), 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, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar.
Full Schedule
| Date | Match Details | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Aug 18 (Thursday) | Zimbabwe vs India, 1st ODI | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 12:45 PM |
| Aug 20 (Saturday) | Zimbabwe vs India, 2nd ODI | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 12:45 PM |
| Aug 22, (Monday) | Zimbabwe vs India, 3rd ODI | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 12:45 PM |
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