Fit-again Rohit Sharma returns in India's Champions Trophy squad

NEW DELHI: A fit-again batsman Rohit Sharma expectedly returned to the side as national selectors offered no surprises in the 15-member Indian cricket squad for next month's Champions Trophy in England.

Rohit, after recovering from a thigh injury he sustained during the Test series against England last year, has replaced opener K L Rahul, who has been laid low by a shoulder injury.

Manish Pandey has been drafted in as an extra batsman in the 15-member squad, to be led by Virat Kohli.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be the wicket-keeper in the side.

Overall, the selectors kept faith in the squad which defeated England in a home series earlier this year.

India will play their Champions Trophy lung-opener against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4. The event itself will get underway on June 1.

The Squad:

Virat Kohli (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Manish Pandey.