Ahead of the limited overs series against Australia, India recalled batsman K.L. Rahul and left out Dinesh Karthik from the squad. On Friday, the national selection committee named 15-member squads for the T20 and the ODI series.
While there were no major changes in the ODI side, rookie leg-spinner Mayank Markande was included in the T20 squad.
India will play two T20 Internationals and five ODIs, starting February 24, in what will be its last international assignment before the World Cup, which begins in England on May 30.
Rahul and Hardik Pandya were suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their remarks in a television talk show, last month. Though the Board later lifted the suspension and flew back Pandya to New Zealand, an off-colour Rahul was asked to play for India A.
He fought his way back after a couple of good innings for India A against England Lions in the two unofficial Tests, which concluded hours before the selection committee meeting.
Markande was rewarded after his five-wicket haul, which powered India A to an innings and 68-run victory over England Lions in the second unofficial Test. The Punjab player has also been a part of the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.
However, with the World Cup just a few months away, the selectors gave out a strong signal by omitting Karthik from the ODIs. Now, with Rishabh Pant picked in place of the Tamil Nadu glovesman, it would be interesting to see who boards the flight for England as a stumper-batsman, along side Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
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