India axe fading star Virender Sehwag

India have dropped star batsman Virender Sehwag for the first three one-day internationals against England this month.

India have come under severe criticism for their poor form, with fans and pundits calling for change after they went 2-0 down to Pakistan in their three-match ODI series.

The 34-year-old Sehwag was left out of yesterday's third clash against Pakistan and although his replacement Ajinkya Rahane failed, India secured a 10-run win. Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 206 not out and 135 in the Tests against England, has been handed Sehwag's place for the one-day series. Medium-pacer Shami Ahmed is also in the party after making his debut yesterday.

India squad M S Dhoni (captain), G Gambhir, A Rahane, C Pujara, V Kohli, R Sharma, Y Singh, S Raina, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, A Mishra, B Kumar, I Sharma, A Dinda, S Ahmed.