Mumbai, : Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and V V S Laxman, who made significant contributions in the current Test series against Australia, were on Sunday left out by the selectors in picking up of the Indian squad for the tri-series Down Under, also featuring Australia and Sri Lanka.
Left-hand batsman Suresh Raina and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla were recalled to the side that also includes wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Kaarthick, who is already with the Test team in Australia. Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, who played the last ODI series against Pakistan, was also left out.
BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah announced the 16-member team after a meeting of the selection committee for India's one-off Twenty20 match against Australia on February 1 and the subsequent tri-series.
The omission of Ganguly came as a surprise as the elegant left-hander had been in very good nick in both the one-day and Test matches.
Explaining reasons behind ignoring Ganguly and Dravid, Shah said, "The emphasis was on fielding abilities and they wanted a young fielding side for the series. That's why you see a lot of youngsters in the side."
The team, to be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has Sachin Tendulkar as its most experienced batsman.
Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, who struggled for runs in Australia and has injured his knee, was retained as the vice-captain of the team, which the selectors said has been picked keeping the future in mind.