KOLKATA, Nov 13: Fit-again fast bowler Irfan Pathan has been included in India's squad for the opening Test against South Africa, it was announced on Saturday.

Pathan, who recently missed the last two home Tests against Australia due to a side strain, is one of the three pacemen named in a 14-member squad for the first Test starting at Kanpur next Saturday.

Sourav Ganguly returns to lead India in the two-Test series against Graeme Smith's South Africans after recovering from a groin injury, which had forced him to miss the last two Test matches against Australia.

Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik are the three spinners in the team. South Africa open the tour with a three-day game at Jaipur on Sunday before taking on India in two Test matches. The second and final Test will begin at Calcutta on November 28.

Indian Test squad: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Rahul Dravid (vice-capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra. -AFP