Rohit covers for Laxman

VVS Laxman missed the second Test against Bangladesh and appears questionable for the Nagpur opener

India’s selectors have called up uncapped middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma to the squad for the first Test against South Africa, starting in Nagpur on Saturday.

Rohit, who led the Board President’s XI in the two-day warm-up match against the tourists which concluded yesterday, was summoned to join the team as cover for VVS Laxman.

Laxman had suffered a hand injury during the second Test against Bangladesh last month and has not recovered fully.

The Hyderabad batsman had a net yesterday, but skipped the fielding practice session.

Rohit was part of the Test squad which toured Sri Lanka in 2008, but did not play a game.