Harbhajan Singh to replace injured Ravichandran Ashwin in ODI squad

Ashwin strained himself while bowling his fifth over during the first One day global against South Africa at the Green Park stadium.

India had been hoping Ashwin would be able to continue his stranglehold over de Villiers after claiming his wicket twice in two T20 matches earlier on the tour.

He will be replaced by Harbhajan Singh who would be joining the squad from the second ODI in Indore.

Ashwin’s injury will be assessed after the now ongoing match by the team’s medical staff to determine how long he will be out of action for. Ashwin started his spell in promising fashion, but suffered a left side strain while putting in a dive in the field in the 32nd over.

Match-winner Ashwin’s injury forced the cricket board to call up ageing tweaker Harbhajan Singh for the second and third ODIs against South Africa. AB and Farhaan scored a quick 65 from just 4.5 overs for the sixth wicket and that eventually will be the turning point if India fall short of runs and lost the opening ODi of the five-match series. The off-spinner came back again but lasted only one over before going back into the pavillion.

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invited him for his marriage, scheduled later this month.