India recall Sreesanth

Paceman Sreesanth could restart his international career against Sri Lanka

Eccentric fast bowler Sreesanth was named in India’s 15-man squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka, beginning next week.

The 26-year-old, who had a spell with Warwickshire this summer, last played a Test in April last year before injury forced him out of the national team.

The paceman’s behaviour - off the field as well on it in domestic matches - has attracted severe censure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, but the selectors have now given the paceman a chance to resurrect his flagging international career.

Sreesanth could partner Zaheer Khan, who makes his return to the national team following a shoulder injury sustained during the Indian Premier League in South Africa earlier this year.

Selectors have overlooked left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra – India’s second highest wicket-taker after Harbhajan Singh in the one-day series against Australia – and Munaf Patel, but have kept faith in Ishant Sharma.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who was named in the squad for the tour to Sri Lanka last year but was omitted for the series against New Zealand, returns to the side, while opening batsman Murali Vijay and middle-order batsman Subramaniam Badrinath retain their places in the side.

The first Test against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad begins on Monday.

India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Murali Vijay, Subramaniam Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Shantha Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra.