NEW DELHI: India was Monday boosted by the return of three key players for the three-Test home series against New Zealand starting next month. Opener Gautam Gambhir, veteran batsman Venkatsai Laxman and seamer Ishant Sharma, who all missed the second Test against Australia in Bangalore due to injuries, were included in the 15-man squad. Gambhir and Sharma suffered knee injuries, while Laxman was troubled by back spasms which he picked up during a match-winning 73 not out in the first Test in Mohali. India enhanced its reputation as the world's top-ranked Test team by winning the first match by one wicket and the second by seven wickets to sweep the short series 2-0. The return of Gambhir and Laxman creates a selection headache - albeit a nice one - for the host ahead of the first Test against the Black Caps in Ahmedabad from Nov. 4. Opener Murali Vijay, who came in for Gambhir, hit a maiden Test century (139) in Bangalore, while Cheteshwar Pujara marked his debut as Laxman's replacement with a fluent 72 in the same match. Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice captain), Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth. Coach: Gary Kirsten (RSA). – Agence France
