Mumbai: The Indian team for the first two Test matches against England has been announced. India are presently the No.1 ranked team in Test following their 3-0 victory against New Zealand. The first Test against England is in Rajkot from November 9 and the second in Vishakhapatnam from November 17.

Kl Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, the three opening batsmen for Indian team are out of the first two Test matches because of the injuries. Here is a list of players who are injured:

Rohit Sharma: Injured thigh during fifth ODI against New Zealand. He is out for six to eight weeks.

KL Rahul: Injured hamstring during first Test against New Zealand.

Shikhar Dhawan: Fractured his thumb during second test.

Ishant Sharma has been included in the 15-man squad after recovering from chikunguniya. He has played two Ranji Trophy matches after recovery and bowled more than 40 overs. Gautam Gambhir had returned to the Test squad because of the injuries to Rahul and Dhawan. He is now set to continue as the opener for the first Test.

Hardik Pandya has been included in the Test squad for the first time in his career which was really unexpected. He has played just 16 first class matches and taken 22 wickets at an average of 33. MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors, paved his way into the ODI and now in the Test squad after watching his bowling."Pandya's pace has increased, he is moving the ball, his batsmanship has improved. He is one all rounder we thought is an equally competent bowler and batsman," Prasad said.

Team Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Murli Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Karun Nair, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra jadeja, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Jayant Yadav.

Fixtures: