Sports India

Sachin Tendulkar has been included in the India squad for the tri-nations series in Sri Lanka next month.

Tendulkar missed the recent tour of the West Indies with a shoulder injury but has been named in the 15-man party for the one-day tournament which also includes South Africa.

All-rounder Dinesh Mongia, currently playing for Leicestershire, and Rudra Pratap Singh are also recalled.

India chairman of selectors Kiran More said: “Sachin played about five matches in England (in charity games for a Lashings XI) and performed well.

“He batted and bowled so we felt there was no need to do a fitness test.

“Also, there will be a camp before the tour, so there is no issue on his fitness.”

On Mongia, More added: “Mongia is an ideal cricketer. He bowls left arm and has been bowling well in the County Championship.

“His main strength is his batting, so he is an all-rounder.”

Leicestershire are likely to look for a short-term replacement while Mongia is away.

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble and batsmen Robin Uthappa and Venugopal Rao all miss out on selection for the series, which begins in Colombo on 14 August.

India squad: Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Sri Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Ramesh Powar, Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel, Rudra Pratap Singh, Dinesh Mongia.