New Delhi: With the promising but still largely untested Karn Sharma still sidelined by a finger fracture, veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra on Thursday was handed a return to national duty after the disappointing 2011 tour of England.
Speaking at the announcement of the 15-strong squad led by Virat Kohli for a three-Test tour of Sri Lanka with matches in Galle and Colombo, selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil said, “Amit Mishra was always in the scheme of things.
“Last year also he was in the reserves. The final XI though is decided by the captain. Looking at the conditions we have picked him for this tour. This is the best combination for Sri Lankan conditions.”
There were no other surprises though Harbhajan Singh's comeback run continued, picked alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Mishra. Young opener K.L. Rahul, who missed the one-off Test in Bangladesh is back, but there was no opening for Gautam Gambhir in the presence of Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul.
“Pragyan (Ojha) was discussed but only 15 players can be selected. Looking at the conditions we have given preference to Mishra,” Patil said, adding Karn Sharma and seamer Mohammed Shami had not recovered from their respective injuries, which was why “their names were not discussed.” Wriddhiman Saha will keep wicket for the series that begins on August 12.
