Tendulkar, Zaheer back in ODI squad

Veteran Sachin Tendulkar was recalled while paceman Praveen Kumar and spinner Rahul Sharma were also included in India's 17-member squad for the next month's tri-series in Australia.

Irfan Pathan was also named in the team, announced by BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale after a marathon meeting of the selection committee.

Tendulkar played his last ODI in the World Cup final on 2 April 2011.

Zaheer Khan will spearhead the bowling attack in ODIs for the first time since the World Cup final. The others in the pace department are Umesh Yadav, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar and Irfan Pathan.

R Ashwin and Rahul Sharma are the two specialist spinners while all rounder Ravindra Jadeja can also chip in with his spin.

Yuvraj Singh, who is still recovering from a lung ailment and injured Harbhajan Singh were not considered for selection. Varun Aaron and Munaf Patel were also not considered because of injuries.

The Indians are scheduled to play two Twenty20 International matches on 1 and 2 February, followed by the tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka, from 5 February.

India sqad: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul Sharma, Parthiv Patel, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan.