Harbhajan Singh Back in India Test Squad for Bangladesh Series

Harbhajan Singh has been recalled into the Indian Test squad for the one-off match against Bangladesh in June. Harbhajan will be the second off-spinner in the 15-member squad named in Mumbai on Wednesday. Harbhajan last played a Test match in March, 2013 against Australia.('Harbhajan's Twin Strike Turned the Game Around')

"Keeping Bangladesh's batting strength in mind and the playing conditions, it was necessary to have a second off-spinner," explained chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil. Ravichandran Ashwin and Karn Sharma are the other spinners in the Test squad. "We have selected the best possible spinners," Patil added.(Harbhajan Singh Says he is Using his Maximum Experience)

Virat Kohli will lead the Test team while MS Dhoni will captain in the ODI series. The national selectors have chosen a full-strength squad keeping India's poor overseas record in mind. "There were no requests for rest from any player," said Patil, who said "there was no emotional attachment while picking the squads."(Harbhajan Singh Opens Cricket Academy of Kolkata)

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who played sporadically during India's four-Test series in Australia before World Cup 2015, has been dropped.

India travel to Bangladesh for a solitary Test and a three-match ODI series from June 7-24. The visitors are scheduled to play the Test in Fatullah from June 10-14, followed by the three ODIs in Mirpur (June 18, 21, 24).(Dean Jones Says Harbhajan's 2 Wickets Were the Turning Point vs Chennai)

Speaking about the twin squads, Patil, who was allowed by the BCCI to take questions from the media, said Bangladesh's strengths and weaknesses were taken into account while deciding the line-ups.

"When there is talk about selection and combinations and we talk about picking 15 players, the discussion about slots and our selection is based on all these factors. As I had earlier mentioned that with the kind of Bangladesh batting order and their six left-handers in the line-up, we discussed a need of having two off-spinners," he said.

"We also discussed about a few upcoming young off-spinners and then zeroed in on Harbhajan Singh as the selection committee and the captain thought it to be the right choice," Patil added.

Asked why the team was not tinkered with too much, Patil said, "We have just returned from the World Cup where we performed well. Chopping and changing the team combination is not what we felt would be right. If needed, or any fitness issue crops up, we will look into it then."

Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.

ODI squad: MS Dhoni (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Stuart Binny and Dhawal Kulkarni.