Indian recalled batsman Rohit Sharma and included uncapped all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the squad to face Sri Lanka in a three-Test series starting this month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Sunday.

Sharma last played in the five-day format against New Zealand in October, 2016 before he was sidelined with a thigh injury.

The 30-year-old, who finished as second-highest run scorer at the Champions Trophy last month, was rested for the limited-overs tour of West Indies. He replaces Karun Nair in the 16-member squad.

Pandya, a regular in India's one-day international and Twenty20 sides, could make his test debut to support the pace bowling unit comprising Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

KL Rahul was also included after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the home Test series against Australia this year.

India will play a two-day warm-up match on July 21 and 22 before three Tests, five ODIs and one T20I against Sri Lanka. The first Test will be played at Galle from July 26 to 30. The second Test will be hosted at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo before proceeding for the third Test in Kandy.

Team India had won a three-Test series 2-1 on their last tour to Sri Lanka in 2015. The series will be remembered for instances of tempers flying between the Indian and Sri Lankan players as the relationship between these two teams has always been cordial. Virat Kohli & Co were blamed for their aggressive behaviour with the then Team India Director Ravi Shastri too receiving some flak.

Source: Khaleej Times