MUMBAI: Selectors have recalled experienced opener Murali Vijay to India’s Test squad for the first two matches of a three-Test series against Sri Lanka which starts next month.
The right-hander has recovered from a wrist injury that forced him to miss India’s recent tour of its island neighbor, when Virat Kohli’s side crushed the Sri Lankans 3-0 in the summer.
Left-handed Abhinav Mukund makes way for the 33-year-old Vijay in what is the only change to India’s Test squad from the one fielded in the last Test series against the Sri Lankans. Spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are joined by India’s new spin king, 22-year-old Kuldeep Yadav, who has impressed since taking four wickets in his Test debut against Australia in Dharamsala in March.
Ashwin and Jadeja have been rested from India’s limited-overs side after selectors decided to give younger bowlers a chance in the run-up to the 2019 World Cup.
Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will lead the hosts’ speed attack.
The squad for the third and final Test will be named later, with Indian media reporting that Kohli could be rested for the game and the subsequent limited-overs series before India embark on a gruelling tour of South Africa.
India and South Africa are scheduled to play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20s from early January to late February.
The first India-Sri Lanka Test takes place in Kolkata from Nov. 16 to 20.
The sides travel to Nagpur for the second match, which starts on Nov. 24. The final Test will be played in Delhi between Dec. 2-6.
Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravi-chandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma.
Murali Vijay back at crease for India
Murali Vijay back at crease for India
