Selectors retain squad for Oz series sans Mishra

leg-spinner Amit Mishra's injury-forced omission was the lone change as the national selectors on Tuesday retained the formidable Indian squad, which hammered Bangladesh, for the first two Tests against Australia starting February 23. Mishra had to sit out of the Bangladesh Test owing to a knee injury, which had prompted selectors to bring in Kuldeep Yadav as cover. With Mishra still not fit, the selection committee, headed by MSK Parasad, retained Yadav in the 16-member squad for the first two games against Australia

The matches are to be played in Pune (February 23-27) and Bangalore (March 4-8) respectively. Pacer Mohammed Shami, who was undergoing rehabilitation with the team before being forced to leave for him owing to his father's death, has also not found a place in the squad. Shami had undergone a surgery to recuperate from a career-threatening knee injury. Elsewhere, there wasn't any change in the side with Ajinkya Rahane, Jayant Yadav and Hardik Pandya holding on to their places.