Team India’s selection as captain for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting August 18 in Harare. Rahul wasn’t included in the roster. However, after recovering from COVID-19 and being given the all-clear, Rahul was named the team’s captain, with Dhawan serving as his backup. Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian batter, has now expressed his opinion on the entire incident, claiming that it could have been avoided.

“The situation could have been avoided. You have asked a valid question. There might be a miscommunication, and the report of KL Rahul might have come late. He is going there for the Asia Cup, but he would have needed match practice before that. Somewhere, there might have been a miscommunication. If Shikhar Dhawan was announced as the captain, so the team could have played under him, it would not have made any difference”

Kaif responded to a question from NDTV during a special media event hosted by Sony Sports Network, who will be airing the upcoming India-Zimbabwe series

“Currently, it is a different era now. You go as the net-bowler and then you end up playing Tests, and you make your debut. In COVID times, there have been certain changes. But you are right, I completely agree with your question, that if you have announced someone as captain, then the communication could have been better and people would not get the chance to question the call. It is not nice for Shikhar, as a player, he is very chilled out, he will not care but it is not right for Shikhar Dhawan,”

He added

“Jaisa hai waisa theek hai sir (It is perfectly fine with the way it is). There are so many formats right now, ODIs are perfect with the way they are. You play a 50-over World Cup, so the ODIs are important. Yes, the game can get slow in the middle, and today people like things to be fast-paced.”

Kaif stated, in response to a different NDTV question about whether the ODI format requires any modifications

ALSO READ: NED vs PAK, 1st ODI: Babar shines with 74!

“Shikhar Dhawan has a lot of cricket left in him. He is a wonderful batter, he is just playing one format now. He does well in the IPL, he is a wonderful player. Sometimes I get shocked that his name only pops up in ODIs. He is a better player than that, he can play other formats as well. I salute him. He just plays ODIs, but whenever he plays, he scores runs. He did well against the West Indies, he scores whenever he gets an opportunity.”

He added As Kaif continued to discuss Dhawan’s significance

Last but not least, Kaif addressed Virat Kohli’s absence from the ODI series against Zimbabwe

“Only Virat Kohli can tell what he is feeling. I do not know what sort of communication he has with the selectors. But, you would want to play as many matches as possible, irrespective of whether you are in form or not. We can just hope that this break will help him. He did go to the West Indies, he is not going to Zimbabwe, the break he has gotten, we can just hope as Virat Kohli and Indian cricket fans, everyone remembers what he has done. We can just hope the break helps him, he comes in the Asia Cup and plays match-winning knocks. He is a legend of the game.”

He concluded