Sharma, Ashwin named in India's Champions Trophy squad
Tuesday 9 May 2017 15:37, UK
Rohit Sharma, Ravi Ashwin and Mohammed Shami have been named in the India squad for the Champions Trophy following injuries.
Fast bowler Shami last played for his country in the 2015 World Cup due to leg injuries. Spinner Ashwin is picked despite missing the Indian Premier League due to a hernia problem, while Sharma has returned from a thigh injury to captain the in-form Mumbai Indians.
India begin the defence of their trophy against Pakistan on June 4 at Edgbaston followed by games against Sri Lanka and South Africa, which are live on Sky Sports.
And Shami said he has worked hard to get back into captain Virat Kohli's squad.
"Two years is a long time. After the injury, I have worked on my strength and my fitness," Shami said. "I have lost weight. I hope to continue from where I left off.
"It is good that I will get seven-eight IPL matches before I make my return to international cricket."
In the absence of the injured KL Rahul, Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane will compete for the opener slots.
Hardik Pandya is also in the squad as an all-rounder along with Ravindra Jadeja and Yuvraj Singh but spinner Kuldeep Yadav misses out. Former skipper MS Dhoni is the only specialist wicketkeeper in the squad.
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The Indian cricket board had failed to submit their squad by last Tuesday's deadline following talks with the International Cricket Council over trying to negotiate an improved revenue deal.
India squad- Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (capt), Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami.
