Suresh Raina, KL Rahul, Karn Sharma earn place in test squad

Mumbai: None of the ‘Fab four,’ no Virender Sehwag and no Gautam Gambhir. When the 19-man jumbo Indian squad lands in Australia for the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, it will have a distinctly new look from the team that last played a Test series Down Under in 2011-12.

Preferring multiple options for each slots, the national selectors who met at a suburban hotel named eight batsmen, five fast bowlers and three wicketekeepers. Karnataka’s K.L. Rahul sealed the much-debated third opener’s slot. Rahul looked to be firm contention owing to his overwhelming form.

The youngster plundered 1158 runs at 52.63 in the previous season and followed it up with twin centuries in the Duleep Trophy final recently. Another notable inclusion was of left-hander Suresh Raina and leggie Karn Sharma, who was chosen over Amit Mishra.

Captain M.S. Dhoni, coach Duncan Fletcher and Virat Kohli, the stand-in skipper for the first Test in Brisbane attended the selection meet after it was decided to rest Dhoni due to a hand injury.

Kohli, who has never led India in a Test match before will now have the arduous task to pick the right XI.

BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel alsorn clarified that Naman Ojha, the backup keeper to Wriddhiman Saha will return after the first game and the squad for the remaining tour will comprise of 18 players.

The fast bowling unit looks promising with the return of Umesh Yadav. The 27-year-old bowler last played Test cricket in late 2012. He was dropped for the tour of England and was instead sent to Australia with the A team.

Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Varun Aaron are nursing injuries but have been included in the squad.  All-rounder Stuart Binny and lanky fast bowler Pankaj Singh were dropped.

The spin department too has variation with senior offie R. Ashwin leading the group. It will be Ashwin’s second Test tour to Australia and he will be required to share his experience of the conditions with Kohli in Dhoni’s absence.

There is expected to be an intense competition for the middle order slot between Rohit Sharma and Raina. While Raina’s troubles against short balls are well documented, Rohit is making a comeback post an injury.