ROHIT BACK FOR SL TESTS
Rohit replaces Karun Nair, who after his triple century against England, has struggled for runs, with scores of 26, 23 and 5 against Australia
Senior batsman Rohit Sharma on Sunday was recalled to India’s Test squad replacing an out-of-form Karun Nair for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka starting July 26.
Opener Lokesh Rahul, who has recovered from a shoulder surgery, retained his place.
The three-member selection committee decided on a 16-member squad via teleconference with 15 members, who were a part of India’s fourth Test against Australia in Dharamsala, being retained.
The selectors showed consistency while selecting the squad, which has been the hallmark of this committee over the past one year.
Skipper Virat Kohli dropped hints of Rohit’s return in England.
It is believed he was was rested for the limited overs series against the West Indies to be kept fresh for Sri Lanka.
Before his injury, Rohit had scored three consecutive half-centuries against New Zealand.
The selectors wanted to retain him as had to forego
his place due to injury.
Nair had gone off the boil after his triple century against England and could not even score a single halfcentury with scores of 26, 23 and 5 against Australia.
The committee has named Nair the captain of the India A squad to South Africa.
The 16th member of the squad is third choice opener Abhinav Mukund.
The four pacers Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami were automatic selections.
India will play the first Test at Galle from July 26, followed by second Test at Colombo from August 3 and the final Test at Kandy from August 12.
Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, M Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.