Mumbai: Virender Sehwag has returned to the Indian team for the ODI and Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka, after he was rested for the Asia Cup in March due to back spasms. Also back is Zaheer Khan, who, too, had been rested for that tournament.

India will play five ODIs and one Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 in September.

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar opted out of the tournament, giving selectors chance to bring in Ajinkya Rahane, who had a terrific IPL season.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was axed following his poor show in the Asia Cup and ODI series in Australia.

Off spinner Harbhajan Singh also failed to make the cut in the 15-member squad.

The selectors included two other spinners in Rahul Sharma and Pragyan Ojha, while Ashok Dinda was retained after a decent show in the IPL and with India A in the West Indies.

Chief selector K Srikkanth said India is a balanced side and expressed confidence that the team will perform well in Sri Lanka.

India ODI & Twenty20 squad:

• MS Dhoni (capt & wk)
• Virender Sehwag
• Gautam Gambhir
• Virat Kohli
• Ajinkya Rahane
• Manoj Tiwary
• Suresh Raina
• Rohit Sharma
• R Ashwin
• Umesh Yadav
• Ashok Dinda
• Vinay Kumar
• Pragyan Ojha
• Rahul Sharma
• Zaheer Khan