A 15-member India cricket squad, led by Virat Kohli, left here this morning for Zimbabwe to take on the hosts in a five-match One-Day International series commencing on July 24.
The squad is without full-time captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has been given a break by the national selectors.
The selectors have also rested many first team players including --Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav -- along with spinner R Ashwin.
India are visiting the African nation after a gap of three years.
Apart from Raina, Kohli was also part of that squad as vice-captain and it included Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma and Vinay Kumar who are members of the current touring team.
Squad: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Parvez Rasool, Mohammed Shami, Vinay Kumar, Jaidev Unadkat and Mohit Sharma
Kohli is upbeat about taking on the ODI captaincy for a full series for the first time during India's tour of Zimbabwe later this month, and is confident of his young team's chances.
"I don't think experience matters, especially in [the] limited overs game," Kohli said at a promotional event in Mumbai. "You need eleven players who are hungry for success, who are hardworking and whose vision is victory. All fifteen players are strong and it is a strong unit, which is good."India are currently the No.1 ranked ODI side, and have convincingly won four of their last five series. "If we continue this way, it will be a good time for Indian cricket. It would make a lot of people happy."When asked whether he was fazed by the expectations and pressure of leading the Indian team, Kohli said: "I always like to lead form the front and set an example for whoever is playing with me or around me. I like taking responsibilities. That is a natural thing for me."Kohli was also happy that allrounder Parvez Rasool was included in the squad, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected in the national team. "It is a good sign that players are not just coming from major cities. You can see everybody is working hard and the thinking is not narrow-minded. If he gets the opportunity to play a match then I am sure he will try to give a good performance."
