Rohit out, Kuldeep in for India Test squad

In-form batsman Rohit Sharma has been overlooked and star fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out with injury as India name their Test squad to face England.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been added into an 18-man Test squad that has been named for the first three of five Tests. Kuldeep could form a potent three-pronged spin attack with Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Kuldeep bewitched England with six wickets in the first ODI, his first 50-over match on English soil, and that prompted captain Virat Kohli to push for his inclusion.

The absence of Rohit after striking two centuries and a fifty in the limited-overs leg of India's marathon tour has raised eyebrows.

India's middle order is in need of bolstering around the leadership duo of Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane and the veteran Rohit's form against the white-ball had raised expectations he would be in the Test squad.

However India's selectors opted against a recall for the 31-year-old after his unflattering performances against South Africa.

He made 78 runs in four innings before being dropped and his performance was described as "less than satisfactory" and was replaced by Karun Nair for India's one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Selectors said Bhuvi had aggravated a lower back condition in the third and final ODI against England that India lost., while Jasprit Bumrah is also under an injury cloud.

"His condition is being assessed by the BCCI medical team and a call on his inclusion in the Test squad will be made soon," a statement read.

"Jasprit Bumrah who has been included in the squad, will be available for selection from the second Test onwards based on his fitness."

Dinesh Karthik has retained his spot as the first-choice wicketkeeper but 20-year-old Rishabh Pant has forced his way into the squad with injury to Wriddhiman Saha.

Pant has been touring England with India A and has 15 dismissals in eight matches (14 catches, one stumping). He has limited first-class experience with just 22 matches but is seen as an outstanding prospect as a limited-overs batsman, and has played four T20 internationals.

Kohli missed India's previous Test against Afghanistan, and his return will almost certainly squeeze out one of the top order with Cheteshwar Pujara a candidate to miss out with KL Rahul's aggression favoured.

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