Wednesday 2 November 2016 15:27, UK
Rohit Sharma is one of three batsmen ruled out of India's Test squad to face England because of injury.
Rohit, second only to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha in India's batting averages in their recent 3-0 win over New Zealand, is a doubt for the whole five-match series after suffering a thigh injury during the one-day internationals against the Kiwis.
He is joined on the sidelines by openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, with respective thumb and hamstring problems, leaving veteran Gautam Gambhir in line to remain at the top of the order against England alongside Murali Vijay in a 15-man squad announced on Wednesday.
Gambhir, 35, returned for his 57th cap - but his first Test in more than two years - in last month's win over New Zealand at Indore.
The squad to face England, initially for the first two Tests, includes a possible debutant in emerging all-rounder Hardik Pandya - while seamer Ishant Sharma is fit again and comes in as a replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is recovering from a hamstring strain.
The five-Test series begins in Rajkot on November 9.
England, who pulled off a shock 2-1 series win on their last tour of India four years ago, were due to arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon following their 1-1 draw in Bangladesh.
Squad: V Kohli (captain), R Ashwin, G Gambhir, R Jadeja, A Mishra, M Shami, C Pujara, A Rahane, W Saha (wkt), K Nair, M Vijay, U Yadav, H Pandya, I Sharma, J Yadav
Watch all five of the Tests between India and England live on Sky Sports 2, starting with the first Test from 3.30am on Wednesday 9th November. Or watch the whole of the first Test for £10.99 with no contract, with a week pass from NOW TV.
