Sachin Tendulkar named in Indian squad

The ageing legend Tendulkar will be out to defeat England and secure a century of centuries [GALLO/GETTY]

Sachin Tendulkar can clinch his 100th international century after being included in India’s squad for the upcoming series against England.

The 38-year-old batting great has scored 51 centuries in Test matches and 48 in one-day internationals.

Tendulkar, who opted out of India’s ongoing tour of the West Indies, returned to the 17-strong test squad on Saturday along with strike bowler Zaheer Khan, opener Gautam Gambhir and pace bowler Shantakumaran Sreesanth, who were all out with injuries.

Middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh was also picked after recovering from a lung infection, while flamboyant opener Virender Sehwag was selected despite still recovering from a shoulder injury.

The first test starts at Lord’s on July 21.

Indian Test squad:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Gautam Gambhir (vice-capt), Abhinav Mukund, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel, Amit Mishra, Yuvraj Singh, Wriddhiman Saha, Virender Sehwag.

Gayle force

While India make plans for the future, current opponents the West Indies are being haunted by the past.

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has launched a stinging attack on the region’s cricket board for not including him in the current squad taking on India.

The 31-year-old, who is arguably the most exciting batsman in world cricket, has not played in a Test since December.

Chris Gayle has striked out at the West Indies cricket board [GALLO/GETTY]

“I have come to the bitter realisation that I am not wanted by the board,” the Jamaican batsman said.

“All that has gone before in terms of reconciliation is a sham, a mockery.”

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson reacted to the outburst saying that Gayle is well aware of what is required for him to rejoin the Caribbean team.

Gibson commented: “I do not think much about what is being said. My focus is with the team, and trying to get the team into shape.”

“It seems from a lot of the stuff from what he is saying he doesn’t feel he can be a part of it. He knows what the score is, and he is choosing his own path completely.”

Gibson said he was not concerned about players having their own relationship with Gayle, highlighted by Marlon Samuels running over to salute him, following West Indies’ victory in the final one-day international against India that preceded the current Test series.

“It’s hard to stop a guy from say going on the internet, and being friendly with Chris, but I can assure you we do not sit and have team meetings about Chris Gayle.”

“We discuss cricket, and India, and how we’re going to get Rahul Dravid out, and V.V.S. Laxman out, and how we are going to stop Ishant Sharma from getting six wickets again in the second innings, and how we are going to go about winning the Test match.”

India convincingly won the first Test against the West Indies and currently lead with one day left in the second Test.