MSK Prasad dispelled doubts about Mahendra Singh Dhoni's future in global cricket, terming him as the world's best wicketkeeper right now.
Pacer Mohammad Shami was recalled to national duty after nearly two years for the Champions Trophy while fit-again Rohit Sharma was also included in the team here on Monday.
The Virat Kohli-led squad has no surprises with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also making it back to the team after his brief injury lay-off.
The left-handed opener, who is the second-highest run-scorer so far in this IPL edition with 450 in 12 matches, said he was pumped up to play for India in the Champions Trophy.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has skipped the IPL owing to a sports hernia injury, has been included.
India begin their tournament against Pakistan on June 4 at Edgbaston, then play Sri Lanka on June 8 and South Africa on June 11.
Vengsarkar tipped the ever improving Hardik Pandya to be a key player in India's Champions Trophy defence.
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The selectors could have picked wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant as the x-factor player just to add some zest to the mix as he looks on top of his game with the bat.
"Ashwin's injury was not serious and we wanted to give him a break".
"We definitely considered Kuldeep. Every year I do well in the IPL and I don't get into the scheme of things in the last two-three years".
"Two years is a long time for any player".
Up-and-coming Rishabh Pant did not find a place either, though Prasad said the selection team are "completely impressed" with his rich vein of form in the ongoing IPL season. This will be Rohit's first global assignment since October, when he sustained a thigh injury during the ODI series against New Zealand.
"We all believe that he is still the best wicket-keeper in the world". Standbyes: Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishab Pant, and Shardul Thakur. Along with Ravindra Jadeja, he will also be an important batsman down the order. "We will groom him, nurture him and back him", the chief selector said. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ajinkya Rahane form a strong batting line up for the team.
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