Kumble and Agarkar return to Test squad

23 Mar, 2004

Bowlers Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar have returned to the Indian squad for the three-test series in Pakistan starting on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Kumble, India's most successful current test bowler with 382 wickets, was sidelined with a shoulder problem in February during the tour of Australia, while Agarkar has been nursing a shin injury.
The national selectors included both in the 15-member squad on Monday after they were declared fit. It is a major boost to the team which has been hit by a spate of recent injuries to its bowlers.
"Both Kumble and Agarkar, who were undergoing treatment for injuries, have been examined and reported fit by the board doctor," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Karunakaran Nair told a news conference.
Nair said off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who had surgery in December for a ligament tear on his spinning finger was not expected to be fit until May.
In 1999 Kumble became only the second bowler in test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings, setting up a series-levelling victory against Pakistan in New Delhi.
He was India's top wicket-taker in the recent four-test series in Australia, with 24.
One-day batsman Yuvraj Singh was also included in the squad. His only previous test appearance was in the drawn second game against New Zealand in Mohali last year.
Bombay off-spinner Ramesh Powar, who made his India debut in the ongoing one-day series in Pakistan, was chosen as back-up for Kumble and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik.
India, set to play their first test series in Pakistan since 1989, begin the series in Multan.
Sachin Tendulkar is the only member of the squad to have appeared in a test in Pakistan. The batsman made his international debut as a 16-year-old during India's last full tour in 1989-90.
The second test will be played in Lahore from April 5 while the final game will start in Rawalpindi on April 13.
Squad: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Aakash Chopra, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Vangipurappu Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel (wicket keeper), Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik, Ramesh Powar.

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