Tendulkar returns to boost India

An exhausted Mahendra Singh Dhoni was rested while star batsman Sachin Tendulkar returned from injury in India's 16-member squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka, starting July 23.

Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, who have been an integral part of India's one-day team, were also named in the side which had no place for opener Wasim Jaffer, an out-of-form Yuvraj Singh and struggling pacer Irfan Pathan.

Young left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha was rewarded for his consistent performance with a berth in the Test squad. The 21-year-old Ojha, who came into the limelight for his fine performance in the recent Indian Premier League, was preferred over fellow spinner Piyush Chawla and was the only new face in the squad.

Dhoni's absence paved the way for Parthiv Patel's recall into the Test squad after a long gap.

Parthiv comes back to the team on the back of his fine batting performance in the domestic circuit. Dinesh Kaarthick is the other wicket-keeper in the team.