Harbhajan Singh returns to test squad

Harbhajan Singh was named in the 15-man Indian squad for the one-off Test match in Bangladesh, which the Senior Selection Committee of the BCCI announced in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Ravindra Jadeja was left out to accommodate Harbhajan for the Test, to be played in Fatullah from June 10. Ravichandran Ashwin and Karn Sharma are the other spinners in the squad, which will be led by Virat Kohli and includes seven specialist batsmen, one wicketkeeper, and four pace-bowling options.

Interestingly, and in a change from tradition when it comes to tours of Bangladesh, the selectors chose full-strength squads for both the Test and ODIs. “There were no requests for rest from any player, there was no emotional attachment while picking the squads,” added Patil.

“Keeping Bangladesh’s batting strength in mind and the playing conditions, it was necessary to have a second offspinner,” explained Sandeep Patil, the chairman of selectors. “We have selected the best possible spinners.”

Mohammed Shami was left out of both the squads because of the knee injury he picked up during the World Cup, and Dhawal Kulkarni was his replacement in the ODI squad. India are scheduled to play three ODIs, all in Mirpur, after the Test match.

Harbhajan, 34, played the last of his 101 Test matches in March 2013, against Australia in Hyderabad. He played only three matches for Punjab in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy, picking up six wickets, but has been impressive for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Pepsi IPL 2015, picking up 16 wickets in 14 matches.