August 08, 2008	Friday	Sha’aban 5, 1429

MUMBAI, Aug 7: Uncapped middle-order batsman Virat Kohli was on Thursday included in a 15-member Indian squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Kohli, 19, was the only newcomer in the squad with the national selectors deciding to field a full-strength side for the tournament, plagued by threats of boycott by some of the world’s leading teams owing to security fears.

Kohli led India to a successful Under-19 World Cup campaign in Malaysia and was also the second highest run-getter in the recently concluded Emerging Players tournament in Australia.

Pace sensation Ishant Sharma was included as was fit-again Sachin Tendulkar.

Fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth however failed to make the cut with doubts persisting over his fitness.

“Selectors have decided that Sreesanth will have to prove his match fitness by playing domestic cricket before being considered for selection,” cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

Sreesanth, 25, played his last one-dayer during India’s tour of Australia in March this year but has since been troubled by a side strain.

Pakistan hosts the biennial Champions Trophy from Sept 11 to 28.

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