BCCI announce squad for first two test matches against Sri Lanka; Murali Vijay makes a comeback

Axar Patel, Abhinav Mukund out, Murali Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja in

After thrashing Sri Lanka on their home turf and clean sweeping them in all three formats, Team india ready to welcome the Islanders for a three-match Test, ODI and T20I series. There were reports of Indian captain Virat Kohli likely to be rested but selectors named have named him in the squad. Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane will be his deputy. The Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja been recalled in the 16-member national squad for the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning November 16 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Ashwin and Jadeja have been named in the Test squad after being overlooked, as per the BCCI’s rotation policy, for three consecutive limited overs series against Sri Lanka, Australia and now New Zealand. Murali Vijay has been recalled to India's squad for the first two Test matches against Sri Lanka, having recovered from the wrist injury that sent him home from Sri Lanka two months ago. He is the only change to India's previous Test squad, with his Tamil Nadu captain and opening partner Abhinav Mukund making way. Rohit Sharma, India's limited-overs vice captain, retains his place in the Test squad despite not being part of the playing eleven for any of the Tests during the Sri Lanka tour. The other Sharma, Ishant, played his last Test during the 2016 Border-Gavaskar series. His performance remained disappointing as the veteran pacer picked up only 3 wickets playing three Tests in the series. Apart from Ishant, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been picked along with Hardik Pandya. Below is the squad for the first two Tests. The national selection committee also announced the 13-member Board XI Presidential team who will play two-day practice match against Sri Lanka team. Naman Ojha has been handed the responsibility of leading the side as well as wicket keeping. The opening Test will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, followed by the second Test from November 24-28 at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. The final Test will be played at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi from December 2-6 followed by three ODIs and three T20Is.

India squad for the first two Test matches against Sri Lanka:

Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Umesh Yadav.

Board President's XI

Naman Ojha (captain and wk), Jiwanjot Singh, Sanju Samson, B Sandeep, Tanmay Aggarwal, Abhishek Gupta, Rohan Prem, Aakash Bhandhari, Jagat Saxena, CV Milind, Avesh Khan, Sandeep warrier , Ravi Kiran.