India will take on Alastair Cook-led England side in a five-match Test series commencing on November 9 in Rajkot.
Mumbai
: Gautam Gambhir retained his place in the Indian Test team while Ishant Sharma has made a comeback to the side for the first two Tests against England.
The surprise was the inclusion of Hardik Pandya. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not picked despite being fit as BCCI selectors felt that he should play at least a game in the domestic cricket before being drafted in the team.
The national selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met in Mumbai on Wednesday to pick the Indian team for the upcoming Test series against England commencing from November 9.
The England squad is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on Thursday from Bangladesh after drawing a two-Test rubber against the hosts.
England would depart for Rajkot on November 5, where the first Test will be played. The other Tests will be held in Vishakapatnam (November 17-21), Mohali (November 26-30), Mumbai (December 8-12) and Chennai (December 16-20).
Pacer Ishant Sharma is likely to make a comeback and veteran opener Gautam Gambhir, who made a comeback in a Test against New Zealand, might catch the eye of the selectors yet again.
While India thumped New Zealand, England is coming off a dismal tour of Bangladesh where they suffered a humiliating loss in the second and final Test.
The last time England visited India in 2012-13, they won the Test series 2-1. And that was the last time India lost a Test at home, back in 2013.
Squad:
Vijay, Gambhir, Pujara, Rahane, Kohli, Saha, Ashwin, Jadeja, Shami, Mishra, Ishant, Umesh, Hardik, Karun, Jayant Yadav
