PTI
Mumbai, May 25: Extending their policy of blooding youngsters to the Test arena, national selectors today named VRV Singh and Suresh Raina in a 16-member squad for the Test series against the West Indies starting next month.
While veterans Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman expectedly made their way back into the squad, Ajit Agarkar was surprisingly dropped as he has been the most impressive bowler on show in the three one-dayers against the West Indies so far.
Taking the flight back home alongwith Agarkar after the one-dayers would be RP Singh, Venugopala Rao and Robin Uthappa while off-spinner Ramesh Powar will stay on after being awarded a berth in the Test squad for the first time.
The selector also decided to pick Dinesh Kaarthick as the second wicketkeeper for the four-Test series ahead of Parthiv Patel.
Raina found a place largely because of the spot left vacant by Sachin Tendulkar who yesterday opted out of the tour after failing to recover fully from a shoulder injury.
The squad announced by BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah had no place for former captain Sourav Ganguly, cooling his heels since the tour of Pakistan in January-February this year.
Also failing to find favour with the selectors was left-arm speedster Zaheer Khan, who has been impressive in his county stint for Worcestershire.
The selectors had a telephonic conversation with captain Rahul Dravid, coach Greg Chappell and co-selector Ranjib Biswal before naming the squad.