Rohit Sharma finally makes his way back into the Test team as the BCCI announced the Test squad for the tour of Australia. Teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw has also been rewarded a place in the squad for his impressive performances in the two-match Test series against West Indies which India whitewashed comfortably.
Having been rested for the Windies T20Is, Kohli returns for the four-match Test series against Australia later this year with the BCCI's selection committee naming an 18-member team for the important assignment. He will also lead the side in the three T20I matches against Australia.
All-rounder Hanuma Vihari has also been included in the 18-man Test squad after he impressed on his debut in the Oval Test against England.
Experienced batsman-wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel makes his way into the squad, which leaves India with two choices for a man behind the stumps along with Rishabh Pant.
Murali Vijay also makes his way back into squad despite putting up a poor performance in the tour of England. He was dropped after the first three Tests.
Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has also been included for the four-match Test series against Australia.
India squad for T20Is vs Australia
India squad for T20Is vs Australia
The BCCI also announced the India squad for the three-match T20Is against Australia and Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya make their way in. The elder brother of all-rounder Hardik Pandya comes in and is yet to make his debut for the Indian team.
Khaleel Ahmed has also been brought into the shorter format after impressing the Asia Cup and the ongoing ODIs against West Indies.
Surprisingly MS Dhoni has been rested for the T20Is against Australia. He was not included in the T20Is against West Indies and now he will also miss out on the three-match T20Is against the Aussies as well.
India squad for Australia Tests: Virat Kohli (C), M Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Parthiv Patel, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Shami, Ishant, Umesh, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
India squad for Australia T20Is: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit (vc), Shikhar, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish, DK, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Khaleel
