Gambhir omitted for Australia Tests

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India have dropped opening batsman Gautam Gambhir for the opening two Tests of their home series versus Australia.

The left-hander, ICC Test Player of the Year in 2009, has not managed a five-day century since January 2010 - with his problems epitomised in the recent series loss to England, during which he repeatedly made starts without kicking on to significant contributions.

Opener Gautam Gambhir has been left out of India's squad for their first two Tests against Australia in the four-game series

India have called up Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, who will likely battle it out with Ajinkya Rahane, retained in the squad, for an opening berth alongside Virender Sehwag.

Piyush Chawla, who returned to Test cricket following a long absence for the final encounter against England, has been omitted in favour of Harbhajan Singh.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rewarded for his impressive one-day international form with a place in the squad, completing a pace trio alongside Ishant Sharma and Ashok Dinda.

India squad for the first two Tests against Australia: Mahendra Singh Dhoni Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda.