Uthappa included for final two Sri Lanka ODIs

Wednesday, 12 November 2014 01:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: India captain MS Dhoni will not return for the final two ODIs of the Sri Lanka series, as he is yet to recover from a thumb injury. He had not played in the first three one-dayers either, and Virat Kohli will continue to captain in his absence. The selectors have also rested Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja for these games.

Robin Uthappa has been included in the squad as the first-choice wicketkeeper, while Rohit Sharma makes a return to the squad after a two-month injury layoff due to a finger injury and a shoulder strain. Should part-time keeper Uthappa, who also keeps for his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, need back-up, batsmen Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav can also fill in with the gloves. Uthappa has been entrusted with keeping duties since the selectors want to explore an alternate option ahead of the World Cup, should Dhoni need a break in any of the games. Jadhav was one of the five people brought into the squad, along with Uthappa, Rohit, seamer Vinay Kumar and legspinner Karn Sharma. Karn has been in good touch recently, consistently claiming wickets in the domestic one-dayers for Railways and against the touring West Indians and Sri Lankans for India A. Jadhav had hit three half-centuries in a row for India A on their tour to Australia in July and August. Apart from Dhawan and Jadeja, the others missing from the squad that was named for the first three ODIs are injured fast bowlers Varun Aaron and Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, legspinner Amit Mishra, opener M Vijay. Ishant was not considered for the last two ODIs due to a stiff back. “He will travel with the squad to be monitored by the physios and trainers,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said. He also confirmed that there was nothing the matter with Saha. “Nothing is wrong with Saha, but we wanted to give a chance to other players and test them before the World Cup. Saha is a very good wicketkeeper.” India have already won the series against Sri Lanka, with three thumping wins. India’s squad for the final two ODIs v SL Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa (wk), Akshar Patel, Karn Sharma, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Vinay Kumar, Kedar Jadhav In: Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Karn Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Kedar Jadhav Out: Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami