Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has been named in India's squad for the first half of next month's four-Test series against England.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have also been included. Captain Virat Kohli, too, is back.
Left-arm seamer Thangarasu Natarajan, who featured in the recent series against Australia, has been excluded. Fastd bowler Mohammed Shami was not selected due to injury.
Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been retained alongside Shardul Thakur. Batsman KL Rahul has been selected subject to a fitness test.
India completed an historic series victory over the Australians this week. After being bowled out for 36 and losing the series opener in Adelaide, they won in Melbourne and Brisbane. They had also forced a draw in Sydney.
“We are extremely proud of the series win. Beating Australia in Australia by a young team will remain etched in the history of Indian cricket forever. It cannot get better than this. I am so proud of everyone,” said Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly.
BCCI Congratulate India for Win Over Australia
BCCI secretary Jay Shah added: “Heartiest congratulations to every member of the Indian cricket team. The team overcame the odds, injuries and a tough opposition and showed great character, resolve and courage to win the historic Test series in Australia for the second time in a row. This success on Australian soil will inspire the next generation of cricketers.”
The first two Tests will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The final two will be hosted at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India and England will then contest five T20Is and three ODIs. The T20Is will be played in Ahmedabad. The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune will host the ODIs.
England are currently in Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. The tourists won the series opener in Galle on the back of a double-century from captain Joe Root. The same stadium will host the final Test.
India Squad for First Two Tests Against England
- Virat Kohli (captain)
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill
- Mayank Agarwal
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Rishabh Pant
- Wriddhiman Saha
- Hardik Pandya
- KL Rahul
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ishant Sharma
- Mohammed Siraj
- Shardul Thakur
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel
