Shami misses India's tour of Australia as Easwaran named as potential Rohit cover

Rohit Sharma will be captain with Jasprit Bumrah as his deputy in the much-anticipated series, which is expected to decide the finalists of the World Test Championship.

Shami, 34, recently said he is "pain free" in his recovery from a foot injury as well as surgery on his Achilles tendon.

But Rohit in his update on the quick had said the bowler suffered a setback after swelling in his knee.

Bumrah leads the pace attack that includes Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Rana, who has impressed in the Indian Premier League and nine first-class matches.

Spinner Washington Sundar retained his place in the squad after he returned to the five-day format with a seven-wicket first innings haul in the ongoing match against New Zealand in Pune.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was unavailable for selection because of a groin injury.

Easwaran comes in as the third opening batter alongside Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal and could get a chance if the captain sits out the first two matches for "personal reasons" as reported by Indian media.

The Indian selectors also named the T20 squad for India's tour of South Africa where the visitors will play four matches starting November 8 in Durban.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team which includes all-rounder Hardik Pandya and spinner Axar Patel.