Indian selectors picked rookie spinner Pragyan Ojha and big-hitting all rounder Yusuf Pathan for upcoming ODI engagements in the sub continent. Left arm spinner Ojha was picked for a tri series in Bangladesh next week as well as the Asia Cup to follow in Pakistan after Murali Kartik ruled himself out owing to an injury. While Ojha was picked for the first time in an India squad big hitting all rounder Yusuf Pathan was selected in an ODI squad for the first time after having played in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last year. The Bangladesh tri series also featuring Pakistan is to be held from July 8 to 14 while the Asia Cup is scheduled to run from June 24 to July 6. Though Ojha was not among the highest wicket takers in the Indian Premier League with just 11 in 13 matches he showed versatility in bowling at various stages of the matches including in the final overs. Ojha has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket having bagged 29 wickets in the Ranji Trophy season last year and also did well for the India A side. Pathan the elder brother of Irfan Pathan, impressed with his ability to get quick runs in the IPL and has been a consistent performer for Jaipur which has been the pick of the teams and the first one to ensure a semi final berth. Yusuf scored 334 runs in the league stage of the IPL smashing three half-centuries including the fastest fifty off 21 balls against Hyderabad Deccan Chargers. Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out of the two tournaments because of a groin injury while other senior players like Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were once again not picked in the team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In the pace department, Zaheer Khan was not considered because of an ankle injury. Irfan Pathan- Ishant Sharma- RP Singh- S Sreesanth and Praveen Kumar are the seam bowlers in the side. Harbhajan Singh was not considered because of a ban for slapping S. Sreesanth after a match in the IPL.
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