Kohli may be asked to play Zim ODIs

The profile of India’s upcoming tour of Zimbabwe after an interval of six years could move up a notch with the likely presence of Virat Kohli.

It is learned the selectors are keen that the star batter, searching for form, get back to action before the Asia Cup by competing in the three ODIs in Zimb- * abwe to be played between August 18-22. “There is still some time before the selectors meet. But the plan is to have Virat use the Zimbabwe series to regain his touch,” a BCCI official, who did not wish to be named, said.

Other than Kohli, most of India’s main players will be giving the series a miss. It is expected that Shikhar Dhawan, who is captaining India in the West Indies ODIs starting Friday, will continue to captain the side.

Kohli was granted rest from the five T20Is in the West Indies where the selectors have picked a full-strength team.

The former India skipper struggled to arrest his slide in the recent series in England with only 31 runs in 2 innings of the Test, 12 runs in two T20Is and 33 runs in two ODIs to show.

Speaking on the ICC podcast on Wednesday, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting advocated that India stay with Kohli for World T20. “If I was an opposition captain or player, I will be fearing an Indian team that has Virat Kohli in it, more than I would be one that doesn’t,” he said. “If I was India, I would keep pushing with him, because I know the upside. If they actually get him back confident and playing as well as he can, that upside is better than most.”