One Day Wonders--At Last Harbhajan's Place gone to Ashwin, an allrounder from Tamil Nadu

Young Tamil Nadu off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was rewarded on Tuesday 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.

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. As a batsman, Ashwin has scored two centuries and six half-centuries in his aggregate of 1,085 runs, which explains his utility in the shorter format of the game. Despite selecting the side as per the whims and fancy of our negative captain, who simply depend on toss and the pitch to keep up his home record. When Team India tour regularly to Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies and New Zeland we can know exactly about the number one rating of the home team. As far as the selection is totally farce and the team is as per Dhoni's choice and not as per merit as done in other countries.