Reports: Senior players to be rested for Zimbabwe tour; Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina likely to lead

Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina during a match in the 2015 World Cup

Reports say that India are likely to rest a contingent of senior players for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe in July, with the Sandeep Patil-led selection committee set to select the squad on Monday. MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin are the senior players who are to sit out of the tour, which starts from 10 July and comprises three ODIs and two T20s.

It had earlier been feared that the tour would be cancelled because of broadcasting issues, but the BCCI have confirmed that the tour is indeed to go ahead; recent reports suggesting that it is being seen as an opportunity to test India’s bench strength.

“Ashwin and Kohli are playing both formats. Dhoni has also had a lot of workload since the Australia tour followed by the World Cup and a gruelling IPL. These three require rest. A fresh Kohli and Ashwin are a must for Sri Lanka Tests which will be a very tough assignment," said a BCCI source.

Possible changes in India team

If Dhoni, Kohli and Ashwin are all left out, the question as to who will play the captain’s role becomes relevant. Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are the senior players who are likely to be called upon to step up. Sharma’s successful stint as Mumbai Indians skipper in the IPL might act in his favour.

Ashwin’s exclusion opens up the spinner’s spot in the team, with the selectors having the options of recalling Harbhajan Singh or giving an opportunity to someone like Parvez Rasool.

Kohli’s absence in the middle order makes it possible for a call-up for consistent performers in India’s domestic circuit like Robin Uthappa or Shreyas Iyer.

Who the selectors choose as India’s ODI wicket-keeper in place of MS Dhoni will also be interesting to see. Wriddhiman Saha has comfortably fit in as the Test keeper, but the younger Sanju Samson may be given a look-in.

The selection committee will also select the India 'A' team that will participate in a tri-series against Australia 'A' and South Africa 'A' to be held in Chennai and Wayanad from July 19.