Veterans Sachin Tendulkar, Harbahjan Singh and Zaheer Khan were back while struggling Robin Uthappa has made way for new comer Virat Kohli
MUMBAI: Veterans Sachin Tendulkar, Harbahjan Singh and Zaheer Khan were back while struggling Robin Uthappa has made way for new comer Virat Kohli in the 16-member Indian team that will take on Sri Lanka in the five-match ODI series starting there from August 18.
Paceman Ishant Sharma, who has done a good job in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka so far, has been rested and would be replaced by Munaf Patel.
But the Delhi bowler will return for the September 12-28 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, a 15-member squad for which was also announced here.
A refreshed Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who gave a miss to the Tests series underway in Sri Lanka, will lead the team.
Middle order batsman Robin Uthappa, struggling to find form for sometime now, has been dropped along with Piyush Chawla and Yusuf Pathan.
Parthiv Patel and Munaf Patel will miss the Champions Trophy.
S Sreesanth, who has recuperated from a shoulder injury, however, failed to make the cut for either of the two series.
"Selectors have decided that Sreesanth will have to prove his match fitness by playing domestic cricket before being considered for selection," Shah said in a statement.
The 19-year-old Kohli had led the team to Under-19 World Cup glory earlier this year and also contributed 235 runs to the title win in Malaysia.
Kohli grabbed attention during his stint for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh reclaimed his place in the side after serving out the five-match ODI ban imposed on him by the BCCI for slapping Sreesanth during the Indian Premier League.
Irfan Pathan was retained despite failing to make much impact in the recent times.
Tendulkar will return to the shorter version of the game after missing an away series against Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan owing to a groin injury.
He, however, recuperated to play in the later stages of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition at home.
Squads:
For ODI series against Sri Lanka: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh (vice-captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virat Kohli, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel, Munaf Patel.
For Champions Trophy: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh (vice-captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virat Kohli, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma.
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