Champions Trophy: Rohit makes cut, Shami returns

New Delhi: Pacer Mohammad Shami was recalled to national duty after almost two years for the Champions Trophy while fit-again Rohit Sharma was also included in the team here on Monday.

The selection panel, headed by M.S.K. Prasad, announced the same squad that had defeated England in a home series earlier this year except these two names.

“It is a balanced team, an experienced team and I think we have picked the best possible side,” Prasad said.

Shami, whose last one-day international was the 2015 World Cup semi-final, replaced leg-spinner Amit Mishra while Sharma came in for opener Lokesh Rahul, who is recuperating from shoulder surgery.

Karnataka batsman Manish Pandey pipped young spinner Kuldeep Yadav as the 15th member of the touring party.

Rohit, who has recovered from a thigh injury, made a comeback as selectors gave weightage to his round the year performance.

Pandey has made it as an extra batsman in the squad to be led by Virat Kohli. Prasad said the selectors seriously considered Kuldeep too before he was put on the standby list.

“We definitely considered the name of Kuldeep. He would have been a surprise package but whether we would have played with two spinners is a question. Since Yuvraj (Singh) and Kedar (Jadhav) can bowl spin, he narrowly missed out,” Prasad said after the selection committee meeting here.

Some of the other names that were discussed were Delhi’s explosive young keeper-batsmen Rishab Pant, stumper Dinesh Karthik, Mumbai seamer Shardul Thakur and veteran Suresh Raina. Along with Kuldeep, these four are also on the standby list.

With no surprises, Prasad said it was an easy side to pick as it had shaped up well in the last four months.

“May be one place here and there. But this is the best side.”

Veteran opener Gautam Gambhir, who has been performing well in the IPL, was not even discussed.

“As of now, we have picked Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as openers and Ajinkya Rahane is the back-up,” Prasad replied when asked about Gambhir.

Off-spinner Ravichan-dran Ashwin, who has skipped the IPL owing to a sports hernia injury, has been included.

Explaining the decision, Prasad said Ashwin’s injury was not that serious and he merely required some rest.

“The injury was not serious. The franchise was magnanimous enough to listen to our request to rest him. Rest is what Ashwin required as the last game that India played, he was there. That shows he is fit and not like others who are getting rehabilitated after surgery,” he said.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains the first choice wicketkeeper.

India play their opening match of the Champions Trophy, to be held in England, against Pakistan on June 4.