Cricket: Tendulkar Sits Out Sri Lanka Tour

Sachin Tendulkar will not feature on India's one-day tour of Sri Lanka, with one eye on upcoming series against England and Australia.

The World Cup winners will face the side they beat in last year's final in five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match, with the first ODI taking place in Hambantota on July 21.

However, they will be without the 'Little Master', who has decided to remain at home in a bid to stay fresh ahead of a busy summer on home soil. It’s a blow for India, and will almost certainly affect betting odds.

India face England in a four-Test series in November and December, with Australia also set to visit the sub-continent in early 2013.

While India head to Sri Lanka without their talisman, they are boosted by the return of Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan.

The veterans have overcome injuries and were named in a 15-man squad for the trip, alongside paceman Umesh Yadav.

Virat Kohli will continue as vice-captain, with Ajinkya Rahane and Pragyan Ojha preferred to Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Praveen Kumar.

Chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth feels they have chosen a group of players capable of defying the latest odds and beating Sri Lanka in their own backyard.

"We are looking forward to this particular season. Being the first tour of the season we really wanted the best possible team. Of course Sachin Tendulkar is not available," said Srikkanth.

"I think it is a very good side. Don't forget we have a strong batting line up and good bowlers – (like) Zaheer Khan and everybody. We (selectors) are confident of doing very well in Sri Lanka."

India squad: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Rahul Sharma.

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