The 20-year-old leg-spinner, who finished the season with 65 first-class wickets at 31.83, had been touted as a potential understudy to first-choice spinner Monty Panesar for the two-Test series starting in December.

But despite finishing as the joint second-leading wicket-taker in the country alongside Steve Harmison, and well ahead of any other English spin bowler, Rashid has been overlooked in favour of Nottinghamshire off-spinner Graeme Swann, who claimed 32 wickets at 29.96.

Rashid has instead been named in the England Performance Squad that will tour India concurrently and provide back-up in case of injuries.

Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan is also in the Performance Squad, as well as England's seven-man squad for the Hong Kong sixes event in early November.

Bresnan enjoyed a fine season, scoring 506 first-class runs at 33.73 and taking 45 wickets at 28.40.

Although Rashid's exclusion from the Test squad was no surprise, with many still warning against rushing him into international action too soon, he came desperately close following a stirring second half of the summer.

After managing only 15 first-class wickets in his first nine games, Rashid captured 50 in his last nine to help Yorkshire avoid County Championship relegation.

"I'm disappointed I didn't get selected for the main squad, but hopefully next time," said Rashid.

"If I keep working on my game, I'm sure my chance will come and that there'll be more opportunities.

"It gives me a lot of encouragement to know I'm in the selectors' thoughts and it's obviously good news I've been selected in the Performance Squad.

"I enjoyed a good end to the season, helped by the weather and the pitches, and hopefully next year will be even better."

Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon was among those who had urged England to pick Rashid.

Others, however, believe the player would benefit from more time in county cricket and that England should wait until at least after next year's Ashes before calling on his services.

National selector Geoff Miller admitted Rashid was firmly in England's thoughts.

"Adil has done very well," said Miller. "He bowled well towards the end of the year and we appreciated that when making our decision.

"A lot of time was spent on selecting the sides and everybody was discussed. We've discussed the situation with Adil and decided that Graeme would better complement Monty as he turns the ball into the bat with his off-spin."

The 15-man squad also includes wicketkeeper Matt Prior and batsman Owais Shah, with Essex wicketkeeper James Foster and all-rounder Ravi Bopara left out.

"I talked to James and he knows where he stands," said Miller. "It's unfortunate, but I'm sure he'll continue to work at his game.

"Ravi has worked on his game really well this year and it was a tough decision. I'm sure he'll bounce back."

Miller said former England captain Michael Vaughan could potentially join the Performance Squad following his return from a two-month break.

He also defended the controversial decision to award the Yorkshire batsman a six-figure central contract despite ongoing concerns surrounding his form and fitness.

"Don't forget it's a 12-month contract and that there's a lot of intense cricket coming up in the next year or so," said Miller.

"We see Michael as an integral part of our plans and he's just in need of a break.

"Michael needs to get his mind right and then go and play some cricket to give himself a chance of getting back into the England side.

"It's possible he could link up with the Performance Squad, or we could send him elsewhere in the world to get some games."

The Performance Squad heads to India on November 21 and will contest a three-day match in Bangalore followed by a four-day game in Mumbai.

The squad will train with the main England party in the run-up to the second Test in Mumbai before returning home on December 19.

England play seven one-day internationals against India starting on November 14. The Test matches take place in Ahmedabad (December 11-15) and Mumbai (December 19-23).

Former Yorkshire batsman Darren Lehmann has been appointed coach of Indian Premier League franchise Deccan Chargers.

"We are delighted to be giving Darren Lehmann his first post as coach and have no doubt he will be a great success," said Chargers' chief executive Tim Wright. "He has a no-nonsense approach to winning cricket matches."


Tour squads

England's squad for two-Test tour of India:

KP Pietersen (capt, Hampshire), TR Ambrose (wkt, Warwicks), JM Anderson (Lancs), IR Bell (Warwicks), SCJ Broad (Notts), PD Collingwood (Durham), AN Cook (Essex), A Flintoff (Lancs), SJ Harmison (Durham), MS Panesar (Northants), MJ Prior (wkt, Sussex), OA Shah (Middlesex), RJ Sidebottom (Notts), AJ Strauss (Middlesex), GP Swann (Notts).

England's performance squad:

TT Bresnan (Yorkshire), M Davies (Durham), SM Davies (wkt, Worcs), JL Denly (Kent), RH Joseph (Kent), RWT Key (Kent) A Khan (Kent), SI Mahmood (Lancs), DJ Malan (Middlesex), EJG Morgan (Middlesex), SC Moore (Worcs), LJ Plunkett (Durham), A Rashid (Yorkshire), OP Rayner (Sussex), IJL Trott (Warwicks).