India turn to pacemen

Ishant Sharma returns to India's 16-man Test squad

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India have included fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel in their 16-man squad for the third Test against South Africa, which begins in Kanpur on Friday.

The Indian selectors have rung the changes as India try to avoid a home series defeat with a win in Kanpur, following South Africa’s comprehensive victory in the second Test at Ahmedabad.

Left-arm paceman Rudra Pratap Singh has been dropped after failing to take a wicket in two Tests.

Munaf has taken Singh’s place and his inclusion bolsters India’s lacklustre pace attack, which has claimed just three wickets in the series so far.

Off-spinner Ramesh Powar has also been chosen as back-up for captain Anil Kumble, who is suffering from a groin injury.

Kumble and Ishant, who has been struggling with toe and finger injuries, will undergo fitness tests on Thursday, after which the squad will be trimmed to 14.

Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar has already been ruled out after failing to shake off a groin injury which forced him to the miss the second Test.

India squad: Anil Kumble (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ramesh Powar, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.