India has recalled attacking opener Virender Sehwag to a 16-man squad for the four-Test series in Australia starting on December 26.

Sehwag, discarded for the last two Test series against England and Pakistan due to poor batting form, was included after an injury to his fellow Delhi batsman Gautam Gambhir.

The selectors retained Irfan Pathan, recalled for the drawn final Test against Pakistan, and impressive teenager Ishant Sharma, and called up uncapped Pankaj Singh while naming five specialist new ball bowlers.

Left-armer Rudra Pratap Singh also returned after missing the home series against Pakistan due to an abdomen injury, shoring up the pace department which has been hit by fitness woes.

Second wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik retained his spot despite struggling as a makeshift opener against Pakistan, after hitting a 50 in the final Test which ended in a draw on Wednesday, giving India a 1-0 series win.

India play four Tests in Melbourne (December 26-30), Sydney (January 2-6), Perth (January 16-20) and Adelaide (January 24-28).

The series will be followed by a one-day tri-series also involving Sri Lanka.

India squad: Anil Kumble (capt), Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Vangipurappu Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh, Ishant Sharma, Pankaj Singh, Dinesh Karthik.

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