India vs Zimbabwe 2016 Squad: Probable Playing XI for India tour of Zimbabwe 2016

After the Indian Premier League, the Indian cricket team travels to Zimbabwe to play a 3 match ODI series along with a 3 match T20 series. The ODI series commences on June 11th and the team for the series will be announced soon. Reports emerged recently that Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan are likely to be rested for this series. Also, the selectors would like to give a rest to India's limited-overs captain MS Dhoni as the 35-year-old has been playing nonstop for a while now. The Indian squad for Zimbabwe tour will be announced on 23 May, 2016.

The selectors would want to keep the players fresh for the upcoming gruelling season comprising of 17 test matches. It’s likely that we might see some new faces blooded-in for this tour along with some fairly experienced ones.

This tour will provide the selectors an opportunity to test the bench strength of the team. The team composition will be determined by keeping the Zimbabwean conditions in mind. In the absence of Dhoni and Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane might be given the opportunity to lead the side. Some players select themselves automatically on current form whereas some will be picked after serious brainstorming.

Here is a look at the probable 15 man ODI squad for the Zimbabwe tour:

1. Ajinkya Rahane (c): Rahane will be expected to lead the side and should open the batting if Rohit and Dhawan are rested. Rahane has been India's most improved cricketer in the last couple of seasons and he also captained India the last time they toured Zimbabwe in 2015. Rahane would want to be rock solid at the top of the order for India.

2. Lokesh Rahul: KL Rahul could be the other opener and he would love to continue with his rich vein of form. He has been a revelation for RCB and the selectors could consider him as the second opener. A classy batsman, Rahul also has the ability to clear the infield comfortably in the powerplays.

3. Manish Pandey: Manish Pandey has been a prolific run getter in the domestic circuit and he enhanced his reputation by getting his maiden ODI hundred in the last ODI that India played in Sydney. A certainty in the playing eleven in the absence of some of the batting mainstays, Pandey would want to cement his place in the side.

4. Ambati Rayudu: The former India U19 captain has had quite an unfortunate international career. Despite an impressive average of 45.33, Rayudu has found himself in and out of the Indian side and will be hoping that he can cement his place in the Indian team over the next year.

5. Suresh Raina: Raina who was not in the best of forms might still sneak his way into the side in a bid to strengthen the middle order. Raina will be closely watched as there are lots of young talents waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

6. Robin Uthappa (wk): It's time he is given another opportunity as he has shown excellent form in the domestic circuit as well as in the IPL 2016. A solid batsman at the top of the order with a wide array of strokes, Uthappa can also double up as a reserve wicketkeeper in the squad.

7. Hardik Pandya: Hardik has the wherewithal to become a handy all-rounder at the highest level. He would need to work on his bowling though and this tour will provide him the ideal opportunity to get into his groove as a 50 over cricketer.

8. Ravindra Jadeja: The Saurashtra all-rounder will like to do a solid holding job in the middle overs. His faster ones could deceive the batters if the pitch aids spin. There will be other players who will be breathing down his neck, though. If Jadeja is rested, Axar Patel is likely to be given a chance.

9. Amit Mishra: With Ashwin likely to be rested with a packed international schedule coming up, the Haryana leg-spinner could make a return to the Indian team.

10. Mohammed Shami: Shami has made a decent comeback after the surgery and he should be given more opportunities at the top to settle into his rhythm. The fact that he has done a decent job for the Daredevils recently will tilt scales in his favour.

11. Jasprit Bumrah: Easily the find of the season, Bumrah would like to grow from strength to strength in this tour. He has played just one ODI so far and this tour should get his ODI career kicking. His accurate yorkers continue to be his strength and the Zimbabweans could find him too hot to handle in the death.

12. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvi has been in top form in this edition of the IPL picking up wickets in bunches. His form bodes well for the season ahead and the selectors would want to recall him for this tour.

13. Krunal Pandya: The elder Pandya brother has been one of the revelations in this edition of the IPL for Mumbai Indians. He has exceeded expectations with both the bat and the ball. He should find a place in the squad and will challenge Ravindra Jadeja for a place in the playing eleven.

14. Yuvraj Singh: Yuvi showed grit and gumption in the T20 matches he played for India recently. Also the fact that he has been in scintillating form of late in the IPL would surely help the selectors take notice.

15. Sandeep Sharma: The selectors should look at Sandeep after he impressed one and all with his swing at the start of the innings and his accurate yorkers towards the death. He has all the tools to become a successful bowler in limited overs and his impressive IPL season bears testimony to that.

Probable ODI XI for Zimbabwe tour:

1. Ajinkya Rahane (c) 2. KL Rahul 3. Manish Pandey 4. Yuvraj Singh 5. Suresh Raina 6. Robin Uthappa (wk) 7. Ravindra Jadeja 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar 9. Amit Mishra 10. Mohammed Shami 11. Jasprit Bumrah