Sachin, Sehwag set to return to ODI team for England series

Nagpur, Nov 4 (UNI) Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are all set to make a returns to the ODI team as selectors meet here tomorrow to finalise the limited overs' squad to take on England for a seven-match series beginning on November 14 at Rajkot.

Both Sehwag and Tendulkar missed the last ODI series against Sri Lanka due to injuries. However, the two are expected to be the only changes in an otherwise almost same team that played the last series.

Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, who featured in the domestic Challenger Series and are playing in the ongoing Ranji Trophy championship would be eager to get back into the international action.

Praveen Kumar and all-rounder Irfan Pathan are also set to make the squad along with Delhi youngster Virat Kohli, who made his international debut in Sri Lanka and was reasonably good in the way series.

Subramaniam Badrinath, who has been cooling heels in the sedelines as he has not been able to make it to the playing XI against Australia, is also expected to make the cut.

In-form paceman Zaheer Khan would lead the pace attack with Munaf Patel and RP Singh, unless the selectors decide to rest him after his long stint against Australia. Ishant Sharma, who was rested against Sri Lanka, has good chances of finding his name in ODI team.

Harbhajan Singh would be leading the spin attack, while it remains to be seen who would be his support at the other end with contenders being left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and leg spinners Amit Mishra.

However, suspense would continue on Gautam Gambhir's availability, who has appealed against a one-Test ban against him, especially for the first two ODIs.

A decision is yet to be taken on his appeal but if the opener does play the last Test against Australia, and his appeal is rejected, then Gambhir will have to sit out from two one-day matches, with Sachin and Sehwag expected to open the innings again for the country.

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