Batting Maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been given rest for the ODI series to be played against Sri lanka in Sri lanka this July-August. However, flamboyant Virender Sehwag and fast bowler Zaheer Khan has been recalled for the series.
The 15 member squad for the Sri Lanka tour will not include Ravindra Jadeja,
Praveen Kumar and the Pathan brothers Irfan and Yusuf for the five ODIs and a
Twenty20 international starting July 21.
Earlier, Sehwag, Zaheer, and young pacer Umesh Yadav missed the Asia Cup in
Bangladesh in March due to injuries who will return back with good progress.
Tendulkar has opted to keep himself out due to the ongoing hectic session as he is likely to attend his first session of parliament when the monsoon session begins later this month.
Tendulkar has been replaced by another Mumbai batsman Ajinkya Rahane who had a good IPL season this year, while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha will replace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Youngester Umesh yadav will play in the place of Praveen Kumar.
"We have selected the best available team. Sachin is not available. I think it is a very good side which has very strong batting line-up and good bowlers and we are confident that it will do well in Sri Lanka," chairman of selection committee Krishnamachari Srikkanth told reporters here.
After his below average performance in this year's IPL, harbajan Singh could impress the selectors and could not get selected.
Srikkanth hoped and wished the team would definitely perform well and will return winning.
"It is a long season ahead and I think we will come back to winning ways.
Sachin wants to extend his career. He must be aiming at England and Australia
(series later this year). He is spacing it out very well," said Srikkanth. "I
don't really want to dwell on whys, they are difficult. We should look at what
has been selected," he said.
Virat Kohli will be the vice-captain for the team and Srikkanth said it is time
to back the Delhi boy.
"Virat Kohli has been appointed vice-captain, the idea is continuity. Virat got brilliant hundreds after becoming vice-captain which shows that he likes responsibility," explained Srikkanth.
Sri Lanka is to also host the coming Twenty20 World Cup a month after the series is over.
The 15 member Indian Squad for the five ODIs and a Twenty20 international
includes: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virat Kohli (vice-capt), Virender Sehwag,
Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Suresh Raina,
Vinay Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul
Sharma.
-With inputs from IANS.
|
|
Comments:
