Bengaluru: Having performed consistently with their opportunities, Karnataka lads KL Rahul and Karun Nair have been rewarded with India berths for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe (3 ODIs and 3 T20Is) starting June 11 and the West Indies (4 Tests).
Regular players like Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma Shikhar Dhawn, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane have been rested while left-handed opener Faiz Fazal of Vidarbha, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s leggie Yuzvendra Chahal, Punjab’s Mandeep Singh, Jayant Yadav and Karun are the five uncapped players for the African sojourn.
Following his inclusion Karun said, “I’m really happy right now and the best thing to have happened till now after performing consistently.” Turning out for Delhi Daredevils in the ongoing IPL-9, Karun hammered 347 runs at an average of 35.70 and strike-rate of 120.20 that includes three half-centuries. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. If I get an opportunity to play, I will give my best,” mentioned 24-year-old batsman.
With Daredevils being knocked out of IPL on Sunday evening by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Karun will begin his preparations for the forthcoming tour. “Right now, I'm batting really well..so, I'm ready to grab this opportunity. I will continue to perform wherever I get to bat and that’s the plan right now,” he added.
Dream to play in all formats: Rahul
Meanwhile, state-mate and RCB top-order batter Rahul too is celebrating his inclusion in the squad for all three formats. “Obviously, I’m very happy to be picked for the tour. And it was my dream to play all the three formats for my country. The happiness to be selected hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m unable to express my happiness actually,” said Rahul, who is gearing up for the IPL Qualifier 1 encounter against Gujarat Lions on Tuesday night.
“Right now my focus is on the next two games for RCB and winning the two matches is what I’m focusing on,” he quipped.
Taking inspiration from star players – Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Rahul has successfully adapted to all three formats. “Some branded me as Test player but I didn’t think about it at all. But playing along side Virat (Kohli) and ABD has been very inspirational. They play all the formats and playing with them has helped me evolve. I will right now think about winning the matches for RCB and after that, I will shift my focus on performing for India,” he concluded.
Thakur gets call-up; Binny back
Meanwhile, Kohli will lead a strong squad for the Test series against the West Indies with Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur getting a maiden call-up while Karnataka’s Rahul and Stuart Binny find a recall in the 17-member team. Paceman Mohammad Shami, who has not played international cricket for 14 months after his injury during the 50-over World Cup in Australia in March 2015 has also been included.
Squad (for ODI-T20 series in Zimbabwe): MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), KL Rahul, Faiz Fasal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal
Squad (for Tests in West Indies): Virat Kohli (Captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra.
