The 32-year-old last figured in a test during a tour of England four years ago but played limited overs games last year and was selected Thursday ahead of a clutch of left-arm spinners including Pragyan Ojha.
Mishra replaced other leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who is injured, in the only change from the squad for a one-off test against Bangladesh last month.
Chief selector Sandeep Patil said the success of Pakistan leg spinner Yasir Shah, who grabbed 24 wickets in a recent 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka, had impressed selectors.
"Keeping in mind the wickets in Sri Lanka and their performance against leg-spinners we gave a preference to Amit Mishra," Patil said. "He was always in the scheme of things and has been in test squads last year. His being played or not played in the final 11 is always up to the team management."
Patil said he was confident about the experienced spin attack which includes off-spinners Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin.
"All of us (selectors) are happy with the way Harbhajan has come back. We expect Harbhajan, Ashwin and Mishra to perform well on the tour," he said.
Harbhajan played in the drawn test against Bangladesh along with Ashwin, who has been India's main spinner in recent years.
Pace bowler Mohammad Shami could not be picked due to a lingering knee injury that has kept him out of action since this year's World Cup. Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron and Bhuvneshwar Kumar form the seam attack.
Lokesh Rahul, who notched 96 for India 'A' against Australia 'A' in an ongoing four-day game in Chennai, was picked as a back-up opener for Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay.
The opening test will be played in Galle from Aug. 12-16 and will be followed by two in Colombo.
The Sara Oval will host the second test from Aug. 20-24 while the Sinhalese Sports Club will be the venue for the final test from Aug. 28-Sept.1.
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