India call up Harbhajan as cover for injured Ashwin

Ashwin suffered a side strain while attempting to field off his own bowling during the first one-dayer at the Green Park in Kanpur on Sunday and left the field after bowling 3.4 overs. He returned to bowl only one more over before hobbling off again, raising doubts about his availability for the rest of the five-match series.

Harbhajan Singh (right) has been included in the ODI squad as a precaution after Ashwin's injury.

Veteran Harbhajan Singh has been drafted into India's one-day squad for the South Africa series following an injury to fellow off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian board said on Sunday.

Ashwin suffered a side strain while attempting to field off his own bowling during the first one-dayer at the Green Park in Kanpur on Sunday and left the field after bowling 3.4 overs.

He returned to bowl only one more over before hobbling off again, raising doubts about his availability for the rest of the five-match series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not rule out Ashwin, who was playing his 100th ODI, but summoned Harbhajan to join the squad as a precaution.

“After making a detailed assessment of the injury, the medical team will confirm the timeframe required for Ashwin to fully recover from the injury,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“Harbhajan Singh has been included in the squad and will join the team before the second match in Indore on Wednesday.”

Harbhajan, 35, has claimed 263 wickets in 232 one-day internationals.