New Delhi, Jun 28: Senior players such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin are likely to be rested, due to the fatigue factor, when selectors meet to select the Indian squad for limited-overs away series against Zimbabwe on Monday.
The Indians have just finished a disappointing tour of Bangladesh, losing the 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 Kohli, and top spinner Ashwin are likely to be rested.
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 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 on July 10.
"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 BCCI source told PTI.
In case Ashwin is rested, the toss-up for the 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 an 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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