NEW DELHI (AFP)
Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan has been named in the Indian squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Zaheer, 23, has taken 22 wickets in nine Tests, but was dropped because of bad form during India's three-Test home series against England last year.

"Zaheer has been bowling very well in domestic tournaments. He is fitter and bowling quicker these days," said chairman of selectors Chandu Borde.

Rahul Dravid also returns to the squad, after missing the recent one-day series against England due to a shoulder injury.

India have named three spinners, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble and Sarandeep Singh, in their 14-member team for the opening Test, starting at Nagpur on February 21.

The second and final Test will begin at Delhi a week later. Zimbabwe, who lost a two-Test series 1-0 on their last tour of India in 2000, will also play five one-day internationals.

Indian squad 1 Shiv Sunder Das, 2 Deep Dasgupta, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Sourav Ganguly (capt), 5 Sachin Tendulkar, 6 VVS Laxman, 7 Virender Sehwag, 8 Sanjay Bangar, 9 Anil Kumble, 10 Harbhajan Singh, 11 Javagal Srinath, 12 Zaheer Khan, 13 Tinu Yohannan, 14 Sarandeep Singh.

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