Sourav Ganguly [Images] was not included in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy match against Ranji Trophy champions Delhi [Images], to be played in Baroda, from September 24-28.
Yuvraj Singh [Images] and Rohit Sharma were also left out of the 14-man squad, announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in Mumbai on Monday.
Sachin Tendulkar [Images], who has recovered from an elbow injury, was included in the squad along with Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images]. Parthiv Patel, who is the second wicketkeeper in the squad may be handed an opener's slot, while Dinesh Karthik [Images] was also left out after a poor showing in Sri Lanka [Images].
Ganguly struggled in the three-Test series in Sri Lanka, where he scored just 96 runs in the three outings, at an average of 16. His omission from the Rest of India squad is a clear indication that the national selectors are unhappy with the former India captain's recent showing and considering other options for the four-Test series against Australia [Images] next month.
Rahul Dravid [Images] and Tendulkar will also be hoping to get back among the runs after a below-par performance against Sri Lanka.
Mohammad Kaif and Wasim Jaffer [Images] have been given another chance to impress the selectors ahead of the Test series against Australia.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Bengal pacer Ashok Dinda is a surprise inclusion in the squad.
Delhi will field a strong side, featuring the likes of Virender Sehwag [Images], Gautam Gambhir [Images] and Ishant Sharma.
The season-opening domestic fixture has assumed importance following a poor showing of some senior batsmen on the just-concluded tour of Sri Lanka, which saw India lose the Test series 1-2.
Rest of India squad: Anil Kumble [Images] (captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (vice-captain & w/k), Sachin Tendulkar, V V S Laxman [Images], Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jaffer, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh [Images], Zaheer Khan [Images], Munaf Patel [Images], Parthiv Patel (w/k), R P Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda.