Team India is all set to take on Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-game series on Thursday, at the Harare Sports Club. The KL Rahul-led squad, previously captained by Shikhar Dhawan, will be looking forward to a 1-0 lead in the ODI series as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup. The Zimbabwe series will see the return of KL Rahul to the squad, who was previously ruled out due to injury and later tested positive for COVID-19. It will be interesting to see if Team India will include wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson in the playing XI or not.
This is what we believe should be India’s predicted XI for the first ODI
KL Rahul: Team India’s star batter has been waiting a long time for its return to the field. Rahul is sure to get a place in the Playing XI as he can provide a strong opening partnership and pack big hits in the first overs.
Shikhar Dhawan: Besides Rahul, Dhawan will be another face for Team India’s opening pair in the first ODI. The batter hit 168 runs in the three-game ODI series against the West Indies, with the highest score of 97 runs off 99 balls.
Shubman Gill: Team India could take Gill into the Playing XI as he had a fantastic performance in the ODI series against the West Indies where he scored 205 runs, with 98 runs in the third ODI.
Deepak Hooda: Hooda can definitely find a place in the first ODI, as the batter can play several shots and give Team India a strong position in the late overs.
Sanju Samson: Samson had an average outing in the ODI series against the West Indies, where he also crushed a half-century. It will be interesting if Team India includes him or if he is replaced by Ishan Kishan.
Shardul Thakur: Shardul is also one of the key players, who can get a place in the Playing XI as he gives Team India an all round performance. He scalped seven wickets against the West Indies and also had good economy.
Axar Patel: Axar Patel can give Team India another all round option as he also has great spin. Axar had a great performance against the West Indies, where he pulled off a massive knock of 64 runs off 35 balls.
Deepak Chahar: Aside from KL Rahul, the Zimbabwe series will also mark the return of pacer Deepak Chahar, who dropped out due to injury. It will be interesting to see how he makes a comeback on the pitch with his fantastic pace.
Kuldeep Yadavi: The spinner played his last ODI match in February 2022 against the West Indies, where he had two wickets in eight overs. Together with Axar, he can be a great option for spin.
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Mohammed Siraj: The pacemaker scalped four wickets against the West Indies in the three-match streak. In the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj could lead Team India’s pace attack.
Prasidh Krishna: The young pacer had an average performance in the series against the West Indies, playing two matches and scalping one wicket. Team India could go with Avesh Khan in his place to maintain a strong pace.
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