Yuvraj, Harbhajan return to Test fold

AFP

Yuvraj, Harbhajan return to Test fold

Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh are the notable inclusions in the 15-member squad for the first two Tests against England, starting November 15.

Yuvraj continued his return, after recovering from lung cancer, when he made a half-century and took five wickets against the tourists for India A in Mumbai last week.
His was the most notable inclusion in a squad also containing Harbhajan Singh as a third frontline spin option for the first two Tests - in Ahmedabad on November 15 and then Mumbai on November 23.
Yuvraj, 30, last played a Test almost exactly a year ago - against West Indies in Kolkata - but returned to international cricket in the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka and last month made a first-class double-century.
He looks favourite to replace Suresh Raina, dropped after two failures in the recent series against New Zealand. Ajinkya Rahane, more suited to a place in the top three, and Murali Vijay are the other options if India opt for another specialist batsman as a direct replacement for Raina.
Off-spinner Harbhajan has not played a Test since August last year, at Nottingham during England's 4-0 whitewash of India to go to the top of the world rankings.
The 32-year-old may have to bide his time, however, with Ravichandran Ashwin and slow left-armer Pragyan Ojha the men in possession of India's spin-bowling berths.
The great Sachin Tendulkar is also in the squad which will be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and contains opener Virender Sehwag and seamer Zaheer Khan - despite their respective recent injury scares and indifferent form.
India: MS Dhoni (Captain), V Sehwag, G Gambhir, S Tendulkar, V Kohli, Y Singh, C Pujara, R Ashwin, U Yadav, P Ojha, A Rahane, H Singh, I Sharma, M Vijay, Z Khan.