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Kevin Pietersen has been omitted from England's squad for the upcoming Test series in India, with both Nick Compton and Joe Root handed call-ups.
Pietersen, a veteran of 88 Tests, was left out of the side for the third and final Test against South Africa this summer due to off-field issues and has again been overlooked in favour of Compton and Root, neither of whom have yet to play for England.
Somerset's Compton was the leading first-class run-scorer in domestic cricket this summer, while Root played a key role in helping Yorkshire gain promotion back to the first division of the County Championship.
Compton and Root have won the nod ahead of Ravi Bopara and James Taylor, who both miss out despite having featured during the summer action.
England, who will be captained by Alastair Cook for the first time in the Test arena, have also included three spinners in their 16-man party, with Graeme Swann supported by Monty Panesar and Samit Patel.
National Selector Geoff Miller commented: "Nick Compton has performed consistently for Somerset in county cricket this season, made big hundreds and shown that he has the temperament and the technique to play at a higher level.
"Joe Root is a player who has been successful at every level from county cricket through to EPP and England Lions, and he deserves this opportunity to step up to the next level and press his case for a place in the Test side."
England play four Tests in India later this year, the first of which starts in Ahmedabad on Thursday 15th January, before two Twenty20 internationals and a five-match ODI series in the New Year.
England Test squad:Alastair Cook (Essex, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Nick Compton (Somerset), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Graham Onions (Durham), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).
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