The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian team for the remaining two one-dayers against Sri Lanka and four-match Test series against Australia, starting December 4.
Regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was rested for the first three ODIs against the Islanders, is a notable omission from the Indian team for the remaining two matches.
Dhoni has sustained an injury in his right thumb and will miss the series opener against Australia at Brisbane Cricket Ground, including the practice games as well. In the absence of Dhoni, Virat Kohli will lead the Indian team in the first Test.
“MS Dhoni has been rested for the first Test as a prophylactic measure to ensure optimum recovery,” a BCCI statement reads. “He will join the team from the second Test onwards, and will lead the team for the rest of the Test series.”
Team India is to play a couple of two-day games against Cricket Australia Invitational XI starting on November 24 and November 28 to acclimatize themselves with the conditions.
Meanwhile, Suresh Raina has made a comeback into the Indian Test team for the Australian tour, while Karnataka batsman KL Rahul is also included in the 19-member team, while leg-spinner Karn Sharma is also a notable inclusion in the team.
Wriddhiman Saha and Naman Ojha are chosen as stand-in wicketkeepers for the series. Ishant Sharma will lead the pace department, with Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron are also included in the squad.
For the two ODIs, Rohit Sharma, who has also made cut in the Test squad, is included in the 14-member team. Opener Shikhar Dhawan is rested for the two ODIs, while Robin Uthappa has made a comeback into the limited-overs squad.
India Squad for 2 ODIs: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Axar Patel, Karn Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Vinay Kumar and Kedar Jadhav.
India Squad for Australia Test Series: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron