Looking for a reshuffle after the stinging setback against the Aussies at home, the selectors on Tuesday recalled four players for national duty in the 15-member squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka. Leading the surprise inclusions are fast bowler Sreesanth, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and middle-order batsman S Badrinath. Spearhead Zaheer Khan makes an expected return to the fold after injury.

Sreesanth’s call-up comes based on his reputation of bowling well against left-handers — the Sri Lankan squad has six — despite the Kerala speedster returning empty-handed in the Ranji opener last week. Sreesanth, who spent considerable time in recovering from injury since playing his last game in 2008, was only last month given a final disciplinary warning from the board to improve his conduct.

Talking about his selection, he said: “I have changed a lot in these 19 months. I am looking forward to a fresh start. I will now focus on cricket only, all other things are secondary. I will try not to repeat the mistakes I committed earlier. My first target now is to get 100 Test wickets. It will be a long journey but I will do my best.”

Ojha walks into the team as back-up option to Harbhajan and Amit Mishra while Badrinath has been awarded for his consistent performance on the domestic circuit. Ishant Sharma managed to keep his place while statemate Ashish Nehra failed to latch on to a Test berth after the selectors decided to keep him away from the rigours of five-day cricket.

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