Mohammed Shami returns to India’s squad for first three Tests against England

Mohammed Shami, who missed the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month after failing a fitness test, is back in India’s 18-member squad for the first three Tests against England.

Mohammed Shami has been recalled into India’s squad for the first three Tests against England, starting August 1. (ENGLAND vs INDIA FULL COVERAGE)

India’s Mohammed Shami has taken 110 wickets in 30 Tests. (Reuters)

Shami, who missed the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month after failing a fitness test, is back in the 18-member squad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who aggravated a lower back injury in the third ODI against England, hasn’t been named. According to the media release, his condition is being assessed by the BCCI medical team and a call on his inclusion will be made soon.

With Wriddhiman Saha ruled out due to a thumb fracture, Rishabh Pant has been named as the back-up wicketkeeper for Dinesh Karthik.

Jasprit Bumrah, who was unfit for the ODI series that India lost 2-1, will be available for selection from the second Test onwards.

Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has been picked after impressing in recent limited-overs matches.

The 23-year-old Kuldeep took five wickets in the opening Twenty20 international against England and then returned superb figures of six for 25 -- the best by any spinner against England in a one-day international.

Kuldeep has made just two career Test appearances to date, the last against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in August 2017.

India have tended to deploy the experienced pair of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm orthodox Ravindra Jadeja as their specialist slow bowlers in recent Test matches.

But Kuldeep, speaking after his one-day haul at Trent Bridge -- the venue for the third Test -- said: “Talking about Test cricket, I am hoping for the call and let’s see what happens in a couple of days when they announce the Test team.”

The first Test is at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Before this, India will play a four-day practice game against Essex at Chelmsford from July 25-28.

India’s squad for first three Tests against England: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur.