Ashwin new face in India’s ODI squad

Young Tamil Nadu off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was rewarded for his consistent performance in domestic cricket with a berth in India's 15-member ODI squad for the first two matches against SA.

Young Tamil Nadu off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was on Tuesday rewarded for his consistent performance in domestic cricket with a berth in India’s 15-member ODI squad for the first two matches against South Africa later this month.

The 23-year-old Ashwin,who is also a useful batsman lower down the order,was the only new face in the squad which will miss the services of prolific opener Gautam Gambhir because of a groin injury.

Lanky Baroda all-rounder Yusuf Pathan,who hit a double century in West Zone’s record run chase in Duleep Trophy final,and Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayar forced their way back into the squad announced by BCCI secretary N Srinivasan after a selection committee meeting here.

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Seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has made himself unavailable to attend his sister’s wedding while dashing batsman Yuvraj Singh was also not considered as he has not recovered from a wrist injury.

“Harbhajan Singh has declared himself not available for the first two ODIs due to personal reasons. Gautam Gambhir is not available for the ODI series due to groin injury,” a BCCI release said.

The selection of Ashwin was very much on the cards after Harbhajan had made himself unavailable. The Tamil Nadu spinner has so far captured 103 wickets in 28 first class matches for an average of 29.43.

In Odisha, Modi mounts ‘loot tantra-vs-bachat utsav’ attack on Congress over GST

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday hailed the revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) structures, saying the era of “double bachat (saving) and double kamai (income)” has arrived under the Bharatiya Janata Party rule. Addressing the ' Namo Yuva Samabesh' in Jharsuguda, Modi accused the Congress of indulging in “loot tantra (tactics)” while in power.

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