Will Dhoni lead young Zimbabwe-bound Indian squad?

'The selection committee has left it completely on Dhoni to decide whether he wants to go or not.'

'If he does not go he will not have a single limited-overs' assignment till March next year.'

The national selection committee, under Sandeep Patil, is likely to leave it to limited-overs’ captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to decide on his availability for the short tour of Zimbabwe, from June 11-20.

It is learned that the five selectors have spoken to most of the senior India regulars, intimating them that they are keen to send a new-look junior team to the African nation in order to test the bench strength.

According to a reliable BCCI source, the selection committee may make an exception for Dhoni, keeping in mind that he will not have any international assignments till March 2017 when India will play 17 Tests.

"Yes, it is true that the selectors have spoken to some of the senior Indian players intimating them that they would be looking at juniors during this tour. While Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan are set to be rested, there are some seniors who had made themselves available for the tour, but the selectors told them that an exception may be made only for Dhoni, who no longer plays Test cricket," the source said.

"The selection committee has left it completely on Dhoni to decide whether he wants to go or not. He is free to opt out as he has also played a lot of cricket. But if he does not go he will not have a single limited-overs' assignment till March next year. In case Dhoni is reluctant, then Ajinkya Rahane is the likely choice to lead the side.

"Also Zimbabwe is a nine-day trip, with all matches being held at the same venue (Harare Sports Club ground). It will not be hectic in terms of traveling also," the source added.

The other objective will be to check out the youngsters who have emerged after a good IPL season, as to how they absorb the pressure of playing for the senior national team although Zimbabwe are not exactly the toughest side in international cricket.

Murali Vijay and KL Rahul are two players who have a fair chance of making it to the Zimbabwe-bound team. In fact, Vijay last played limited-overs’ cricket in Zimbabwe last year under Rahane's leadership.

Rahul is also set to get a look in after an impressive IPL season.

Among the pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, a regular in T20 Internationals, may like to play the three ODIs, adding to his kitty of a solitary 50-over match at the international level.

Mohammed Shami, Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma are some of the other contenders, with Ashish Nehra being ruled out for at least four months due to a career-threatening hamstring tendon injury.

Leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin and all-rounder Krunal Pandya are some of the names that will be discussed.

Tested players like Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla may also get a look-in, but if the selectors opt for youth, they may not be considered.

Ditto for KKR veterans Gautam Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan, who have done well but are in their mid-thirties.

Image: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Photograph: Solaris Images