INDIA SQUAD Dinesh Karthik left out; Pant recalled for Australia ODIs by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have been recalled to India's 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia. Dinesh Karthik, on the other hand, has been axed from the squad for the series, which will be India's last 50-over assignment before the 2019 World Cup. "We have included him [Pant] considering the fact that he is a left-hander and we are going to discuss with the team management. We will try and figure the best possible batting position for Pant. With a left-hander in the side, there is an advantage of left-right combination," MSK Prasad, India's chairman of selectors, said. "We want to give Pant a few ODIs before taking a final call on World Cup." Ravindra Jadeja, Khaleel Ahmed, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj - all of whom were part of the squad in the recent tour of New Zealand, have also been left out. Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rested for the first two games of the series. "Siddarth Kaul has been doing very well in whatever opportunities has been given and also at India A level," he said. "Khaleel has been playing for the last two series and we have seen him. We would like to see Siddarth Kaul also. We have shortlisted about 18 players and we are going to rotate among them." India's squad for 1st and 2nd ODI against Australia: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul Karthik's exclusion is noteworthy given India had groomed him to play the finisher's role. The 33-year-old registered scores of 38* (38), 25* (14), 12 (21) and 0(1) in the limited opportunities he got with the bat in the last two series - in Australia and New Zealand. Apart from averaging 75, he struck at over run a ball and helped India see off the target in two chases. Pant, on the other hand, hasn't had the same impact as yet in his brief three-match ODI career so far, totalling 41 runs. However, a breakthrough 2018 in Test cricket - which included centuries in England and Australia - has propelled his case, besides his reasonably good show in the New Zealand T20Is. Meanwhile, since making his debut last year, Khaleel has picked up 11 wickets in 9 matches at an economy rate of 5.36. His variation as a left-arm pacer proved to his biggest asset. However, his inability to seal a spot in the limited chances to go with Mohammed Shami's impressive showing in New Zealand has edged him out from the third pacer's slot. With Bumrah returning after sitting out the limited-overs assignment in Australia and New Zealand, India's pace attack is almost near full strength. Bhuvneshwar will join the squad from the third ODI onwards with Sidharth Kaul filling in as a fast-bowling alternative for the first two games. Jadeja's axing means India have only two frontline spinners in the squad - Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad. Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya will add to the balance of the side with their all-round abilities. "Shankar's performance in the recent series really changed a bit of dynamics and he brings a double impact to the side that's why have we have included him. We'll see how he performs in the next few matches," he added. India's squad for remaining three ODIs: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant Mayank Markande gets maiden T20I call-up Bhuvneshwar and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested from the T20I series while Khaleel Ahmed, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj have faced the axe. Karthik has retained his place in the shortest format, while Umesh Yadav and KL Rahul have received a recall to the side. Mayank Markande, the Punjab and Mumbai Indians legspinner, has received his maiden international call-up after a string of impressive performances for the India A squad, which included a five-fer in the innings win over England Lions in Mysuru. "We are looking at Markande as a backup spinner. We have been grooming him though India A process and today also he picked up a five-wicket haul. So, we want to look at him and he'll be a backup spinner," Prasad explained. India's squad for T20I series against Australia: Virat (Capt), Rohit (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul, Mayank Markande © Cricbuzz TAGS RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>KL Rahul made a comeback to the Indian squads for the two T20Is and the five ODIs against Australia, while Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah also returned from their breaks. Rishabh Pant returned to the ODI fold in place of Dinesh Karthik to continue the tight fight for the second keeper's slot. Meanwhile, Mayank Markande earned a maiden T20I call up in place of Kuldeep Yadav, who was rested. One-Day International Squad OUT (from the 16-man squad in New Zealand): Dinesh Karthik, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj. IN: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Siddharth Kaul (first two ODIs, when Bhuvneshwar Kumar rests) Rahul, who was dropped from the Indian side following the Koffee with Karan controversy, has made it back as the third opener in place of Gill. Rahul struggled for form in the one-day matches for India A against England Lions recently, but has made it back after making 89 and 81 in the two first-class matches. Pant had missed out on one-day selection for the tours of Australia and New Zealand, but has got another chance to audition for the second wicketkeeper's position. He takes the place of Karthik, who scored 12, 25*, 38* and 0 in the four innings he batted during the tours. Bumrah, who was rested after the Tests in Australia, makes it back while Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj miss out. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rested for the first two ODIs, during which Siddharth Kaul takes his place. All-rounder Vijay Shankar, who made his ODI debut in Australia, keeps his place while Ravindra Jadeja has been left out. Twenty20 International Squad OUT: Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav (rested), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (rested), Khaleel Ahmed, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj. IN: KL Rahul, Mayank Markande, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah. With Kuldeep Yadav resting, Punjab and Mumbai Indians legspinner Mayank Markande earned a maiden national call up for the two T20Is. Markande had an impressive IPL season last year and has followed it up with fine performances in the domestic circuit. He picked up eight wickets in three one-dayers against England Lions before picking a match-winning five-wicket haul in the four-day match on the selection day. Umesh Yadav, who was left out of the T20I sides for the tours of Australia and New Zealand, makes it back. The first of the two T20Is between India and Australia will be played on February 24 in Visakhapatnam. The first ODI is scheduled for March 2 in Hyderabad. India’s squad for 1st two ODIs: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vice-capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul. India’s squad for remaining three ODIs: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant. India’s squad for T20I series: Virat (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vice-capt), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul, Mayank Markande.<doc-sep>India will take on Australia in a two-match T20I series followed by five ODIs at home from February 24 (AP Photo) Virat Kohli will return to lead India in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia, starting February 24, after a short break. Kohli was rested for the final two ODIs and three T20Is of the team's tour of New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah was also named in a 15-man squad for the ODI series, starting March 2 in Hyderabad. Australia will play India in two T20Is and five ODIs on their short limited-overs tour to India. The two T20Is will be played in Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru. Hyderabad, Nagpur, Ranchi, Chandigarh, and Delhi will host the 5 ODIs. Mayank Markande handed maiden call-up For the two T20Is, India handed a maiden India call-up to Mumbai Indians' mystery spinner Mayank Markande, who picked up a five-wicket haul on Friday for India A against the England Lions in the 2nd unofficial Test in Mysore. Umesh Yadav has been handed a recall while Kuldeep Yadav has been rested. Karthik not part of ODI squad, Shankar and Pant retain places Contrary to media reports, both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been named in the squads for the T20Is and the ODIs. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who has been in fine scoring form for India A, has also found a place in both the squads. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will play the T20I series but is not part of the five-match ODI series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rested for the T20I series and first two ODIs. Siddharth Kaul, the right-arm pacer, has made the ODI squad for the first two ODIs. By the time Kohli took his break, India had already won the ODI series in New Zealand. Under Rohit Sharma, India lost the fourth ODI but bounced back to win the fifth and clinch the series 4-1. India then went on to lose the T20I series 1-2 as the management opted to try out several options including Vijay Shankar at No.3. Vijay Shankar has retained his place in both the ODI and the T20I series along with young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. This is a crucial series for both India and Australia. For India, this will be the last chance to test their resources and fill up a couple of vacancies in the squad before the World Cup. India have been in great limited-overs form over the last one year. In South Africa, India won a six-match ODI series 5-1 before losing a three-match ODI series to England in England. However, India bounced back to win the Asia Cup, the home series against the West Indies and won historic bilateral series in Australia and New Zealand. So far in 2018, India have played 8 ODIs and have won 6 and lost two. Because Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were suspended and sent back home from Australia following the Koffee with Karan furor, Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill were given a look-in. Gill played two ODIs in New Zealand but Vijay, with his strong batting skills, has suddenly come into contention for the World Cup. In fact, Vijay Shankar could make the cut as the back-up seam bowling all-rounder to Hardik Pandya. India's squad for T20I series against Australia: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul, Mayank Markande India's squad for 1st and 2nd ODI against Australia: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul India's squad for remaining three ODIs: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar Also See:<doc-sep>
(Getty Images) Key Highlights Markande has been rewarded for his match-winning show for India A against England Lions Karthik was a notable omission in ODIs as Pant was chosen over the experienced wicket-keeper batsman Khaleel failed to find a place in the squad while Umesh was included in the T20I series NEW DELHI: The selectors on Friday announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming limited over series against Australia. Virat Kohli , who was rested for the final two ODIs and the T20I series against New Zealand returned for the two-match T20I and five-match ODI series scheduled to commence from February 24. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will also make a comeback after being rested for the ODIs against Australia and limited-over series against the Kiwis. After a couple of good innings for India A against England Lions, KL Rahul was also recalled for both the T20I and and ODI series. Rahul was sent back along with Hardik Pandya from India's limited-overs series in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year after the duo gave a controversial interview on a television chat show. Dinesh Karthik was a notable omission in the ODI format as Rishabh Pant was chosen over the experienced wicket-keeper batsman. Rookie leg spinner Mayank Markande has also been rewarded for his match-winning show for India A against England Lions. Markande scalped five wickets to steer India A to a series-clinching innings and 68-run win over England Lions in the second and final unofficial Test. "...as a back-up spinner we are looking at him (Markande). So we have been grooming him through the India A process and he has taken a five-wicket haul (against England Lions on Friday)," chief selector MSK Prasad said after the meeting. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been given a rest for the T20I series and the first two ODIs and will replace Siddharth Kaul in the team for the final three ODIs. Kaul seems to have joined the race for the fourth pacer's slot at the business end of the preparation cycle. "Siddarth Kaul is doing well and is now a part of the mix," Prasad said. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav has been rested for the T20I series while Yuzvendra Chahal will feature in both the formats. Khaleel Ahmed failed to find a place in squad while Umesh Yadav was included in the T20I series. India will play two T20 Internationals and five ODIs, starting February 24, in what will be their last international assignment before the World Cup, which begins in England on May 30. The five-match ODI series will start in Hyderabad on March 2 followed by matches in Nagpur (March 5), Ranchi (March 8), Mohali (March 10) and Delhi (March 13). India's squad for T20I series: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul, Mayank Markande India's squad for 1st and 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul India's squad for remaining three ODIs: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant