Ind vs SA: Harbhajan Singh to replace injured Ravichandran Ashwin for ODI series

In what appears to be a major blow to the Indian cricket team, premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was on 11 October ruled out of the ongoing five-match ODI series against South Africa following a side-strain injury during the 1st ODI at Green Park stadium in Kanpur.

"R Ashwin sustained a left side strain injury during the first Paytm One day International against South Africa at Green Park, Kanpur on 11th October 2015," a BCCI statement said.

NEWS ALERT: R Ashwin has suffered a side strain injury. Harbhajan Singh has been added to India's squad for Paytm ODI series against SA.

BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2015

"After making a detailed assessment of the injury, the BCCI medical team will confirm the time frame required for Ashwin to fully recovery from the injury. Harbhajan Singh has been included in the Indian squad, and will join the team before the second match of the series in Indore," the statement added.

The Indian off-spinner suffered the injury while trying to stop an AB de Villiers' shot during the 32nd over of the match. Ashwin dived to his right to save a single, but when he stood up, he looked uncomfortable.

Two balls later, Ashwin went off the field and got some treatment from the Indian team's physio. He returned back to field for India and bowled an over before deciding that he was unable to bowl further in the match.

The Indian team, thereon, decided to rest Ashwin for the remaining matches in the series that should allow the off-spinner to recover just in time for the four-match Test series starting from 5 November.