NDTV  
 
Bangalore, Mar 17: Gautam Gambhir, who top-scored for India in the successful CB Series campaign in Australia, has been dropped from the 14-man squad for the first two home Tests against South Africa.

Ishsant Sharma has been dropped for the first Test, while Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh have been declared fit to go.

Murali Kartik has been included as the third spinner. Karthik was not selected for the Australian tour despite his match-winning 6-27 against Australia in Mumbai last year.

Piyush Chawla will be Kartik's back-up.

Pace sensation Ishant was earlier declared fit for the three-Test series. But he will be rested for the Chennai Test, which begins on March 26.

Seamer Rudra Pratap Singh, who missed the tri-series in Australia owing to a hamstring injury, has been already declared fit to play.

Pacers Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan and S Sreesanth have been declared fit.

Veterans like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman are expected to return for the series.

Team India coach Gary Kirsten, a former South African opener, arrived in Bangalore on Sunday evening for the selection meeting.

Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar had confirmed last week that Kumble would lead the team in the three-Test home series.