August 08, 2008	Friday	Sha’aban 5, 1429

MUMBAI, Aug 7: India’s cricket selectors on Thursday decided to rest in-form paceman Ishant Sharma for the five One-day Internationals against Sri Lanka beginning later this month.

Sharma, who played a key role in shaping India’s 170-run series-equalling victory in Galle Test, was replaced by Munaf Patel in keeping with the cricket board’s new rotation policy.

“Ishant Sharma has been rested for the one-day series,” board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

The selectors also decided to include uncapped middle-order batsman Virat Kohli, in place of a struggling Robin Uthappa, in the 16-member squad.

Kohli, 19, was rewarded for his performance in the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia where he led India’s undefeated title-winning campaign. He also emerged as the second-highest run-getter for India in the recently concluded Emerging Players Tournament in Australia.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who opted out of the Test series citing fatigue, returned to lead the side, while Sachin Tendulkar also made a comeback to one-day action after missing the team’s previous two assignments.

Tendulkar had missed out on the tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan due to a groin injury.Fast bowler Zaheer Khan and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh were also back in the one-day fold at the expense of Yusuf Pathan and Piyush Chawla.

Wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, who was recalled for the Sri Lanka Tests after almost four years in the wilderness, was retained for the one-dayers beginning on Aug 18.

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh, Munaf Patel, Pragyan Ojha.—AFP