Hardik Pandya hasn't featured in Tests since 2018 and has only recently recovered from a career-threatening back injury.
Rookie Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar has been drafted in the Indian squad for the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka with seamer Bhuvneshar Kumar and senior opener Shikhar Dhawan being released.
As India takes on Australia in the first Test at Chennai on Friday, Rajneesh Gupta presents a detailed statisticial dossier.
Ahead of the three-match series, here's the schedule and key stats between the teams.
As India takes on England in the first ODI at Rajkot on Friday, Rajneesh Gupta brings you a statistical dossier of the career performances of players from both sides.
Murali Vijay and Suresh Raina smashed blazing half-centuries while R Ashwin claimed four wickets as Chennai Super Kings crushed Wayamba by 97 runs in a Group A match of the Champions League Twenty20 in Centurion, on Wednesday.
Often criticised for not delivering overseas, Indian off-spinner R Ashwin says he came of age during the most recent tour of Australia and it won't be long before his wicket-count goes up abroad.
Hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan and off-spinner R Ashwin are expected to be included in India's 30-member strong World Cup probables list by the selectors, on Saturday.
Seasoned players Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh were rested while Yuvraj Singh was recalled in the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming cricket tri-series in Sri Lanka, beginning from August 10.
Temperamental pacer S Sreesanth, who gave away 52 runs in 8 overs in the final of the ICC World Cup against Sri Lanka, on Monday said he was 'not satisfied' with his performance.
He could not have asked for a better debut as R Ashwin became only the third cricketer ever to get a Man of the Match in his first Test itself and as he prepares to get married in a few days, the off-spinner wondered if the nine-wicket haul against the West Indies is a wedding gift.
And long after the match got over -- with India beating Pakistan by 29 runs to book a berth in the final against Sri Lanka -- MS Dhoni did admit that he misread the pitch.
Former skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes India's bowling is still a concern and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have to add some sting to their attack ahead of World Cup semi-final clash against Pakistan.
Chennai Super Kings outclassed Warriors by 11 runs to qualify for the semi-finals, in the final Group A match, in the Champions League Twenty20, in Port Elizabeth, on Wednesday.
The five-member selection panel, headed by Krishnamachari Srikkanth, went for the tried and tested in India's final 15-member squad for the ICC World Cup, to be held in the sub-continent from February 19. Rajneesh Gupta presents a statistical outlook of the players.
What do you think about the selection of India's final 15 for next month's World Cup? Is the team capable of repeating the historic 1983 victory? Can these 15 bring the World Cup home? Tell us.
Ashwin and opener KL Rahul played pivotal roles as Kings XI produced a superb all-round performance to script a comfortable 12-run win over Rajasthan Royals in a second leg IPL clash to bring their campaign back on track on Tuesday.
After making impressive debuts in their respective openers, Rising Pune Supergiants and GujaratLions will test each others' strengths when the two new entrants clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL), in Rajkot on Thursday. The two teams feature a lot of faces from the suspended Chennai Super Kings and at least six players, who played in the same side till last year, will now be in opposite camps. Close friends and CSK teammates Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina will now be devising strategies as rival captains. Both have admitted that playing in a jersey other than 'yellow' has been very "emotional" but have promised to give their all for their new teams. The Dhoni-led Pune Supergiants were very convincing and dominant when they handed defending champions Mumbai Indians a nine-wicket drubbing. They did not even require their middle order, packed with Dhoni himself and players such as Steven Smith, to come out with the top-order delivering it for them comfortably.
Team Director Ravi Shastri has praised R Ashwin for his performance in Sri Lanka and called him the best off-spinner in world at the moment.
Gautam Gambhir was the most valuable player (MVP) of the recently concluded India-New Zealand One-Day International series, but Yusuf Pathan, with that explosive century and eight wickets, wasn't too far behind.
Kings XI Punjab ended their losing streak as they edged past Chennai Super Kings in the Super Over after the IPL match ended in a tie atthe MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, on Sunday.
Pragyan Ojha conceded only 11 runs in his four overs -- the most economical figures by an Indian in T20 internationals.
Anjikya Rahane's gutsy 191 was in vain as the tweak duo of R Ashwin and Piyush Chawla claimed nine wickets between them to help Rest of India humble Mumbai by 361 runs and clinch the Irani Trophy title for the fifth consecutive year.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list IPL 2020's 50 Most Valuable Players.
India have endured series losses in South Africa and England over the last nine months but have still managed to remain the number one side in the longest format.
The pacer was rewarded for his impressive return to international cricket with a berth in India's T20, and One-day squads for the series against Sri Lanka, beginning December 9.
Rajneesh Gupta presents statistical summary of Chennai Super Kings and much more.
'The actual three quicks of India out-bowled the three quicks of Australia. They were outstanding. It's a big, big risk that Australia are taking'
India may have not won the third Test, but the team which has turned into an 'injury-ravaged' outfit walked out of the SCG with heads held high. The roar of a jubilant comeback from the Indian side will undoubtedly be echoed in the SCG stands for years to come.
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that "off-field distractions" is something that cricketers are hardly bothered although last 12 months have seen a lot of controversies in Indian cricket.
South Africa's top batsmen gave a good impression of themselves as the two-day match against Board President's XI ended in a draw in Nagpur on Wednesday. Having bowled out the local side for 318, Graeme Smith and his men did overwhelm the target, folding for 354, but not before leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (4/88) and offie R Ashwin (3/96) exposed the vulnerability of the Proteas, especially the middle and lower order, against turning deliveries.
Jadeja, Shami also return for limited overs series starting Jan 12
R Ashwin turned out to be the hero for Chennai Super Kings as he destroyed Kolkata Knight Riders with a sensational three-wicket spell in Chennai on Tuesday. Electing to bat first, Kolkata were hoping for a good start, but the 23-year-old Tamil Nadu spinner ruined all their plans by claiming two wickets in his second over.
T Suman's brisk half-century and three wickets from Ryan Harris saw Deccan Chargers outclass Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in the Indian Premier League in Nagpur, on Saturday. Suman top-scored with 55 from 44 balls and Andrew Symonds hit a quick to take Deccan to 139 for four in 19.1 overs after being a set a modest 139 for victory.
The hosts will look to bounce back and level the series in Bengaluru, and knowing that India have fought back in series before (that historic 2001 Test series is still fresh in our minds), it's only imperative that they practice with intent heading into the 2nd Test.
Rajneesh Gupta presents us all the numbers that matter in T20 World Cup 2021.
Rediff.com gives you a glimpse of the stars that lit up the night at the awards ceremony...
S Badrinath celebrated his India call-up with a fluent 82, while Manish Pandey and R Ashwin also struck half-centuries as South Zone thumped Central Zone by five wickets to sail into the final of the Duleep Trophy in Indore on Friday.
While India starts as favourites, following their success in the three-match Test series, the Sri Lankans are hoping to get back to winning ways with some good performances in the T20 matches.
'Under lights, with the late swing, it is challenging for batsmen'
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