Mumbai, November 14:

India selectors recalled spin bowlers Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik and veteran batsman Rahul Dravid for upcoming Test matches against Pakistan.

The two spinners were recalled on Wednesday to a 14-member squad for the first two Tests of a three-match series starting from November 22 in New Delhi based on their form in the limited-overs series against Pakistan.

Singh last played a Test match 1and a half years ago, while Kartik has not featured in a Test match since 2004. India’s spin attack will be spearheaded by seasoned leg-break bowler Anil Kumble, who will make his debut as Test captain against Pakistan.

The selectors appointed Mahendra Dhoni as vice captain for the Tests. Dhoni led India to a title win in the World Twenty20 championship in September. He was elevated to the national captaincy for the one-day series against Australia and Pakistan following Dravid’s resignation.

Left out of the one-day squad against Pakistan, Dravid is back in the Test squad. But openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were not selected. Left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan was also omitted despite his impressive performance in the World Twenty20 championship and the ongoing one-dayers.

SQUAD: Anil Kumble (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh and Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.