India's cricket selectors have rested key players Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan for the limited-overs tour of West Indies starting later this month.

Tendulkar, the world's most prolific Test and one-day batsman, is recovering from a finger injury that he aggravated during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa last month.

Bowling spearhead Zaheer was rested as he was suffering from a shoulder injury, the selectors said in a media release.

Left-handed batsman Suresh Raina was also not considered for selection after he sustained a hairline fracture on his thumb.

"Raina been advised two weeks' rest," the release said.

Left-arm quick Ashish Nehra returned to the squad after four years on the sidelines, thanks to his impressive show in the IPL where he picked up 19 wickets for the Delhi Daredevils.

All-rounder Abhishek Nayar earned his maiden call-up to the Indian squad while opener Murali Vijay also made a comeback in the absence of the injured Virender Sehwag.

Sehwag missed the World Twenty20 in England with a shoulder injury.

India, who won the inaugural T20 Worlds in South Africa two years ago, lost both their Super Eight matches to the West Indies and hosts England to be knocked out before the semi-finals.

The Indians have been on the road since February, sparking fears of player burnout and a growing list of injured players.

India's squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Yuvraj Singh (vice-capt), Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Vijay, Subramaniam Badrinath, Abhishek Nayar, Dinesh Karthik, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Rudra Pratap Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha, Ashish Nehra. Coach: Gary Kirsten (RSA).

NEW DELHI AFP