Captain may opt out of Sri Lanka series

Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh are expected to return for India in the three-Test series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis (L) celebrates with an unidentified teammate after taking the wicket off unseen Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan during the Asia Cup final between India and Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on July 6, 2008. Sensational spinner Ajantha Mendis took six wickets for just nine runs to help Sri Lanka beat India by 100 runs in the final here on Sunday to successfully defend the Asia Cup title.  AFP PHOTO/Aamir QURESHI *** Local Caption ***  840533-01-08.jpg
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MUMBAI // Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh are expected to return for India when national selectors meet to pick the team for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Tendulkar, who opted out of the triangular one-day series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan because of a hamstring injury, has been declared fit and is certain to take his place in the Test side. The off-spinner Harbhajan is available for selection after serving a five-match ban for slapping India teammate Sreesanth during an Indian Premier League match.

India's one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, however, is likely to be absent from the series. The wicketkeeper batsman has been playing non-stop since leading the Chennai Super Kings to the final of the IPL and, according to a report, may decide to take a break. Dhoni recently voiced his unhappiness over the hectic schedule of the Asia Cup. Should he not play, his place is likely to be filled by Dinesh Karthik.

India will also play five one-day internationals following the three Tests. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Colombo on July 23. * Reuters