Murali Vijay has not played Test cricket since March

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Opening batsman Murali Vijay will make his international comeback next month after being included in India’s squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka.

Vijay missed India’s last Test assignment, which was also against Sri Lanka, due to a wrist injury.

Abhinav Mukund took his place for that series, but only featured in one of the three Tests, scoring 93 runs, which included a half-century, at an average of 46.50.

With Vijay having recovered from his injury, there was no space in the side for Mukund.

Meanwhile, there was speculation that India captain Virat Kohli would be rested during the series as he had asked to take some time off.

Given that the squad named is just for the first two Tests, there is still a possibility that Kohli could be rested for the third Test.

“With regard to Virat Kohli there has been some speculation that he’s going to be rested for the whole of Sri Lanka series,” India’s chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “It’s not right.

“Yes, as far as Test series is concerned, he’s going to play and at some point of time, the rotation policy that we’re following will also apply to the captain. We’re also monitoring his workload – he’s been playing continuously right from the IPL. We need to give him a break and we will consider after the Test series.”

Prasad also confirmed that other players will be rested too, but refused to name who would get a break.

The move to rotate players comes ahead of a packed 2018 for India, in which they will play a number of series abroad.

“Considering the workload and considering the international schedule we have right now, we are definitely rotating the players,” he said. “And it is too premature to say right now [who will be rested].

“If you see the pattern with which we are selecting and we will let you know at an appropriate time. One thing is for sure that we are definitely going to rotate and monitor the workload of the players.”

The Test series between India and Sri Lanka will start on November 16 in Kolkata.

India’s squad for the first two Tests: Virat Kohli (capt), M Vijay, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar