Zaheer back in Test squad, no place for Gambhir

Veteran India fast bowler Zaheer Khan is back to lead the Indian pace attack in the Test series against South Africa while there was no place for opening batsman Gautam Gambhir.

The only new face in the 17-member Test squad is Ambati Rayudu.

Zaheer, who was recently dropped from the central contract list, last played a Test match against England at home last December.

India will play three ODIs and two Tests in South Africa. The three ODIS will be played in Johannesburg (Dec 5), Durban (Dec 8) and Centurion (Dec 11). The two Tests will be held in Johannesburg (Dec 18-22) and in Durban (Dec 26-30).

Test squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kolhi, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha

One-day squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina,Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane ,Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra