India's strongest playing XI for the ODI series against Zimbabwe

Team India will travel to Zimbabwe to take part in a three-match ODI series. The first of these three matches will happen on August 18th. BCCI recently announced the squad for the event. In this article, we take a look at India's strongest playing XI for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. 

India's ODI squad for the Zimbabwe Tour: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, and Deepak Chahar.

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan (C) and Shubman Gill

Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill will continue to be the openers in India's strongest playing XI for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. Both Dhawan and Gill did well in the ODI fixtures against West Indies. Hence, they are likely to continue in this role. Gill was the Player of the Series against the West Indies and therefore deserves a long run before the senior's come back. Rahul Tripathi will be the backup for these two openers.

Middle-Order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson (WK)

The likes of Suryakumar Yadav have been rested and hence, openers like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan might get a chance in the middle order. Ruturaj Gaikwad might be backed to do well at No.3 in this series. India needs to have a ready backup for Rishabh Pant in the middle order. Although he is an opener, Ishan Kishan could be asked to bat at No.4 or No.5. Sanju Samson was brilliant in the ODI series. He will yet again be tasked to don the role of a 'finisher'.

All-Rounders: Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel

Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel will be the all-rounders in India's strongest playing XI for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. Deepak Hooda will bat at a higher position in this XI. He could feature at No.4 or No.3. Apart from his batting, Deepak will also be useful with his right-arm off-spin. Axar Patel won a game for India recently and will hold on to the No.7 slot.

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj

Deepak Chahar returns to the squad and might be preferred over Shardul Thakur in the line-up. He and Mohammed Siraj will form a potent combination to take the new ball. While Prasidh Krishna might be backed, the likes of Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan could get their chances, as well.