The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly confirmed a squad change ahead of India's upcoming white-ball assignments. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has replaced injured mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Team India also suffered a setback ahead of the three-match ODI series against England, with pace-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana ruled out because of a hamstring injury. The Men in Blue will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing T20I campaign in Ireland and England under Shreyas Iyer.
Ravi Bishnoi Replaces Varun Chakravarthy for Zimbabwe T20Is
According to a Sportstar report, the selection committee has drafted Ravi Bishnoi into India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe after Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out with an injury.
The decision was reportedly taken after discussions between head coach Gautam Gambhir and National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman, who will coach the team in Zimbabwe.
The report stated that Varun Chakravarthy, who played the IPL with a toe injury, had been declared fit by the BCCI Centre of Excellence before the T20I series against England. However, he suffered a hamstring injury before the fourth T20I and was ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour.
Bishnoi now gets another chance to cement his place in India's T20I setup ahead of a busy international schedule. The leg-spinner had a difficult outing in the third T20I against England, conceding 60 runs in four wicketless overs as Jacob Bethell attacked him throughout the innings.
Injuries Force Fresh Changes to India's Bowling Attack
Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the Zimbabwe T20I series after suffering a hamstring injury before the fourth T20I against England. Varun Chakravarthy had already missed the Ireland series while recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence after playing the IPL with hand and toe injuries.
Harshit Rana has also been ruled out of the ODI series against England after sustaining a hamstring injury. The fast bowler underwent scans in England after missing the final two T20Is.
The BCCI is yet to announce a replacement for the three-match ODI series. With Harshit unavailable, bowlers like Gurnoor Brar and Arshad Khan are among the options to strengthen India's pace attack.
India Set for Fresh-Looking Zimbabwe T20I Series
India will begin the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 23. VVS Laxman will coach the side, while Shreyas Iyer will continue as captain with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain.
The selectors have rested several senior players, including Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh, for the Zimbabwe tour. Samson's omission follows a disappointing series against England, where he lost his place in the playing XI after a string of low scores.
The squad also welcomes back Rinku Singh, who returns to the T20I setup after missing recent assignments. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav and spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey have also been included as India look to test new combinations ahead of a busy international schedule.
India’s squad for Zimbabwe: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
