Zaheer, Sreesanth back in Test squad

Mumbai: The Indian national selectors have sprung a surprise, as they have decided to call the controversial speedster S. Sreesanth back into the international fold by picking him for the first two Tests of the home series against Sri Lanka. This selection has given the highly strung bowler a chance to revive his international career after playing his last Test in April 2008, against South Africa.

Zaheer Khan is back to spearhead India’s pace attack after an injury layoff. Zaheer participated in Mumbai’s first Ranji Trophy tie against Punjab and finished the match with six wickets for 152 runs.

Left-arm off spinner Pragyan Ojha has also been included and will be hoping to make his Test debut. Ojha traveled with the team to Sri Lanka earlier in the year without playing a match, as Amit Mishra was preferred over him, owing to an impressive debut in New Delhi against Australia.

Tamil Nadu opening batsman M. Vijay, who made an impressive debut in Nagpur against Australia in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has also earned a call-up along with fellow statesman S. Badrinath.

Ashish Nehra, in spite of making a remarkable comeback in international cricket after a string of injuries and operations, has been left out of the contention along with Munaf Patel. Both the pacers lost their places as the five wise men decided to go with three spinners.

Skipper MS Dhoni remains the lone stumper in the side, as the selection committee has not named a reserve wicketkeeper.

India squad: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, M Vijay, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra.