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Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina likely to captain second-string India side against Zimbabwe

The selectors are likely to rest key players such as MS Dhoni when they meet in New Delhi on Monday.

Rohit Sharma is one of the candidates for captaincy © Getty Images
Rohit Sharma is one of the candidates for captaincy © Getty Images

New Delhi: Taking note of the fatigue factor, India are likely field a second string team for the tour of Zimbabwe and senior players such as skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni might be given a break when the selectors meet at New Delhi on Monday to pick the squad for the limited-overs series.

The Indians have just finished a disappointing tour of Bangladesh, losing the One-Day International (ODI) series 1-2, completing seven months of continuous cricket.

In this backdrop, selectors may give the younger players a chance with sources indicating that skipper Dhoni, Test captain Virat Kohli and top spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are likely to be rested. READ: India tour of Zimbabwe 2015: Sending a second-string side has more pros than cons

Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are the two players in running for captaincy. Rohit is the top contender after successfully leading Mumbai Indians to the Indian Premier League (IPL) title this season.

Raina, on the other hand, has been a stop-gap captain in shorter formats. Elsewhere, batsman Ajinkya Rahane is set to be picked for the series starting July 10. READ: India must tweak team following ODI series loss to Bangladesh

“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,” a Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) source told PTI. READ: India tour of Zimbabwe definitely on, says BCCI

In case Ashwin is rested, the toss-up for off-spinner’s slot will be between Parveez Rasool and Harbhajan Singh.

However, if the selectors prefer a junior team, it might turn the tide in Rasool’s favour. Robin Uthappa can also make the cut.

Some of the certainties are Stuart Binny, Ambati Rayudu and Mohit Sharma. Pacer Umesh Yadav might get some much needed rest after injury free last six months.

The tour comprising three ODIs and two T20s was in doubt, but a BCCI release on Saturday put all speculations to rest.

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