“This is disrespectful towards Shikhar Dhawan”- Netizens angry as KL Rahul replaces Dhawan as captain for India tour of Zimbabwe

KL Rahul has been made the captain. Shikhar Dhawan has been made his deputy..

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday revealed that KL Rahul had regained full fitness. He has hence been added to the Indian squad against Zimbabwe for the upcoming ODI series. The BCCI has also made him the skipper of the team. Rahul replaces Shikhar Dhawan, who was earlier named captain.

In a press release, BCCI wrote:

“The BCCI Medical Team has assessed KL Rahul and cleared him to play in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has appointed him the captain of the side and named Shikhar Dhawan as his deputy.”

The development comes even as senior cricketer Dhawan guided the Men in Blue to a historic 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies in the recently concluded ODI series. He also looked good with the bat and amassed 168 runs at an average of 56, which included a knock of 97 in the opening contest.

Also Read: Zimbabwe announce 17-man squad for IND vs ZIM 2022 series; Blessing Muzarabani out due to injury

A section of fans were displeased with the BCCI's decision. Here are some of the reactions:

@Cricketracker Shikhar Dhawan???? Whyyy??

This is disrespectful towards Shikhar Dhawan. He was already announced Captain for this tour. Either they shouldn't have announced the team till Kl Rahul's fitness test or Continue with Dhawan. But removing him after announcement is not good @vk100_52 twitter.com/BCCI/status/15…

@CricCrazyJohns shikhar Dhawan ryt now https://t.co/u3XbUPGjxj

Shikhar Dhawan demoted to vice-captain after being named captain 🤨 twitter.com/bcci/status/15…

@BCCI @klrahul Shikhar Dhawan robbed.

@vikrantgupta73 The disrespect to Dhawan 😡😡😡😡😡

@CricCrazyJohns Are yaar Dhawan se ab kl Rahul captain 🙄Tum log captain, captain khelte raho bas BC 😐

@BCCI @klrahul Why does Dhawan have to go through something like this!!

Dhawan bechara 😔 twitter.com/CricCrazyJohns… https://t.co/Shiz6yh2Ez

KL Rahul returns to international cricket after a six-month gap

Opening batter Rahul is making a comeback to international cricket after a long gap of almost six months. He had last played for Team India against West Indies in an ODI where he scored 49 runs.

NEWS - KL Rahul cleared to play; set to lead Team India in Zimbabwe.

More details here - bcci.tv/articles/2022/… #TeamIndia https://t.co/1SdIJYu6hv

He looked decent in the last edition of the IPL for his new franchise Lucknow Supergiants. Unfortunately, he underwent knee surgery which delayed his return to Indian cricket ahead of the home T20I series against South Africa in June.

After recovering from his injury, Rahul tested positive for COVID-19 before the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies, which further delayed his return to the Indian team. The upcoming ODIs against Zimbabwe will help KL Rahul prepare for the 2022 Asia Cup.

India will play their opening match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on August 18.

India’s squad for 3 ODIs: KL Rahul (Captain) Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar.

Also Read: Australian players set to leave The Hundred for ODI series against Zimbabwe