The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

India have recalled spinners Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik to their Test squad for the series against Pakistan.

The selectors have named a 14-man party for the first two games, which start in Delhi on 22 November and Calcutta (Kolkata) eight days later.

Harbhajan has not played Test cricket since July 2006, while Kartik has been out of favour for three years.

They will provide slow bowling back-up to leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who was named as India's new captain last week.

And the inclusion of off-spinner Harbhajan and left-armer Kartik means India have a full range of options available if the pitches are conducive to spin.

There are no major surprises in the squad, although batsman Gautam Gambhir can consider himself a little unlucky after some good innings for the one-day side.

Virender Sehwag also missed out as the selectors kept faith with Dinesh Karthik and Wasim Jaffer, who both played in the 1-0 series victory in England during the summer.

Former captain Rahul Dravid keeps his place despite being left out of the current one-day series against Pakistan, and he will be looking to return to his best form after averaging only 25 against England.

The squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan, which starts in Bangalore on 8 December, will be named at a later date.

India Test squad: A Kumble (captain), W Jaffer, D Karthik, R Dravid, S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, V Laxman, Y Singh, MS Dhoni (wkt), H Singh, Z Khan, RP Singh, S Santh, M Kartik.