Nehra, Shikhar in T20I squad; Rahane misses

The All-India Senior Selection Committee also recalled Dinesh Karthik ahead of the T20I series against Australia, though M.S. Dhoni will retain his place as the regular wicketkeeper.

Ashish Nehra, who started his career sharing the new ball with the likes of Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, will bring in experience on plate.

Veteran India pacer Ashish Nehra is set to return to the squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia starting October 7. The All-India Senior Selection Committee announced the team, following India’s 4-1 ODI series win against the Aussies on Sunday.

The 38-year-old left-arm bowler last played for India against England at home in February. He also turned out for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and picked up three wickets against Kings XI Punjab.

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However, Shikhar Dhawan — who missed the ODI series due to a family emergency — will return to the squad, while Ajinkya Rahane (who opened with Rohit Sharma) will have to be in the queue. Despite four half-centuries, the right-handed batsman didn’t find a place in the T20 squad.

Dinesh Karthik also earned a call-up, but MS Dhoni retains his place as the wicketkeeper.

The matches will be held in Ranchi, Guwahati and Hyderabad.

Squad:

Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, M.S. Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Axar Patel.