India include injured pair

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is troubled by a sprained finger

Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and spinner Harbhajan Singh have been named in India’s squad for the first two Tests against South Africa but speedster Ishant Sharma misses out.

Dhoni is troubled by a sprained finger while Harbhajan was diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the tour of Australia and both will have to prove their fitness before the first Test in Chennai on March 26.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said: "On the 21st (March), Harbhajan Singh and MSD (Dhoni) have to undergo a fitness test subject to which they will be included in the playing XI."

Ishant is kept out by the toe injury he suffered in Australia and Gautham Gambhir misses out despite being the leading run-scorer in the recent Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia, but all-rounder Yuvraj Singh retains his place in the 14-man squad.

Murali Kartik has been added to the squad as the third spinner, while Piyush Chawla and Dinesh Karthik are named as reserves.

India squad: W Jaffer, V Sehwag, R Dravid, S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, A Kumble (captain), Harbhajan Singh, M Kartik, I Pathan, Sreesanth, RP Singh.

Reserves: P Chawla, D Karthik