First time Indian players on the tour to Zimbabwe

While most of the Indian tours to Zimbabwe have always seen new players making it to the squad, this time, around, there are a few surprise call-ups. While the squad includes the much-anticipated inclusion of skipper MS Dhoni, a few zingers are thrown in with a plethora of uncapped players named in the squad. Dhoni is perhaps the only senior player in the squad while the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan have been rested. This will be the only cricketing assignment for Dhoni this year as he will lead his young brigade into 3 ODIs and 2 T20Is. Here we take a look at the first time Indian players on the tour to Zimbabwe. 1. Faiz Fazal: Shane Warne (L) of the Royals celebrates with teammate Faiz Fazal after his team’s victory. (Photo by Hamish Blair-IPL 2010/IPL via Getty Images) The 30-year old southpaw became one of the forgotten names in Indian cricket. As a 22-year old, Fazal was a part of the Rajasthan Royals that clinched the inaugural edition of the IPL under Shane Warne. However, as graceful and technically sound as he was, Fazal faded into the sunset of the Ranji Trophy as well as the IPL on the back of some terrible performances. He was consistently unsold in the subsequent IPL auctions until his flamboyant technique once again resurfaced. He played for India A under Rahul Dravid and also smashed a magnificent century against Mumbai in the Iran Trophy, leading the Rest of India to an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat. Now, he has 3 ODIs to stake his claim on the international stage. All that you need to know about the youngster – 9 Unknown facts about Faiz Fazal 2. Karun Nair: Karun Nair of Delhi Daredevils celebrates his half century during an IPL match. (Photo Source: IANS) If you’ve seen Karun Nair bat, then you’d know that this was certainly coming. The 24-year old has been in sublime touch in the past few editions of the IPL, playing for the Rajasthan Royals and more recently for the Delhi Daredevils. He was also a part of the Karnataka team that won the Ranji Trophy on two occasions and contributed immensely to the team’s cause that secured victories in other domestic tournaments as well. For Nair and his fans, it would seem as though justice has been done and Nair now finds himself boarding the plane to Zimbabwe. All that you need to know about Karun Nair – 15 Interesting Facts you need to know about Karun Nair 3. Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t even in the reckoning for India selection. However, the 25-year old leg-spinner has been drafted into the squad solely for his impressive showing in the IPL. An attacking leg-spinner by trade, Chahal has earned a reputation as a wicket-taking bowler. He also currently holds the Purple Cap and is also the first ever bowler from the Royal Challengers Bangalore side to do so. It will be interesting to see whether he can make the transition from domestic cricket to international cricket in Zimbabwe. 4. Mandeep Singh: Mandeep Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI) Mandeep Singh will be remembered for wearing a South Africa jersey and fielding in the place of an injured South African player when the A team played. However, Mandeep is much more of an accomplished batsman than many people think he is. He smashed centuries for the Kings XI Punjab apart from his obviously extraordinary exploits for the Ranji side. He is also one of the most technically sound batsmen in the country at the moment and plies his trade for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. 5. KL Rahul: Mohali: Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Lokesh Rahul in action during an IPL match. (Photo Source: Surjeet Yadav/IANS) Once viewed as a Test match player, KL Rahul knows the feeling of facing quality international pacers. He slammed centuries in Australia and Sri Lanka as part of the Test squad. However, Rahul’s exploits as a big-hitting batsman came to the fore in the current edition of the IPL where he has certainly impressed one and all. In addition, his wicketkeeping skills will also come in handy. Also read – KL Rahul no longer just a Test specialist 6. Jayant Yadav: Jayant Yadav. (Photo Source: BCCI) A pleasant surprise in the squad, Jayant Yadav was drafted into the Delhi Daredevils squad for the 2014 edition of the IPL. Although he has played for the Daredevils this season as well, the off-spinner is somewhat of an unknown commodity. He took 8 wickets for the Rest of India in the Irani trophy and has also played for the India ‘B’ team. It will certainly be interesting to see whether he gets a game under MS Dhoni or not. All that you need to know about Jayant – 12 Facts about Jayant Yadav: The unheralded offie from Haryana

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First time Indian players on the tour to Zimbabwe

5. KL Rahul:

Also read – KL Rahul no longer just a Test specialist

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