India recall Ajinkya Rahane for World Test Championship final against Australia

Rahane, a vastly experienced batter and former vice-captain, was axed after a run of indifferent form last January but returns in a 15-strong squad for the International Cricket Council's showpiece event from June 7-11.

The Indian selection panel have included three frontline spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel but, with the game taking place at the Oval, an arsenal of five specialist seamers are also on hand should conditions favour pace.

The ongoing absence of Jasprit Bumrah with a back injury robs the India attack of arguably its standout performer, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant remains on the long road to recovery after his car accident and Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav are all overlooked.

India squad for WTC Final: R Sharma (c), S Gill, C Pujara, V Kohli, A Rahane, KL Rahul, K Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, A Patel, S Thakur, M Shami, M Siraj, U Yadav, J Unadkat.