Selectors have called up uncapped middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma to the squad for the first Test against South Africa.

Rohit, who led the Board President's XI in the two-day warm-up match against the South Africans which concluded on Wednesday, was summoned to join the team as cover for VVS Laxman.

The first Test match will start in Nagpur on Saturday.

Laxman had suffered a hand injury during the second Test against Bangladesh last month and has not recovered fully.

The stylish batsman had a net on Wednesday, but skipped the fielding practice session.

Rohit was part of the Test squad which toured Sri Lanka in 2008, but did not play a game.