India have left outside Harbhajan Singh from the team for the Australia vs India Test Series, picking Pragyan Ojha and R Ashwin as the spinners in the 17-man team. Medium-pacer Praveen Kumar, who was part of the team in England, returns to the team in place of leg spinner Rahul Sharma, who was part of the continuing Test series against West Indies although, failed to play a match.

Wriddhiman Saha was named as reserve wicketkeeper, while Zaheer Khan, who is recuperating from hamstring and ankle injuries, will join the team subject to match physical fitness.

India will play 4 Test and 2 Twenty20 International matches in the tour beginning Monday December 26, 2011. India is also schedule to play Commonwealth Bank Series 2012 with participation of Australia and Sri Lanka beginning February 5, 2012 in Australia.

Team Squad: MS Dhoni (capt &wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Rohit Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Zaheer Khan (subject to fitness).