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Remodelled Ojha named for training camp

Left-arm spinner back in the frame for India ahead of South Africa visit

India have included previously banned left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha in their 30-man training squad ahead of South Africa’s visit for next month’s Test, ODI and T20 series.

Ojha bowled impressively for India A during their two first-class matches against Australia A in Chennai in July, taking 10 wickets across the two matches.

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The 29-year-old was banned from bowling by the ICC last December after being reported for a suspected illegal action, but has since remodelled his bowling style and been cleared by cricket’s governing body to again ply his trade.

Mohammad Shami, who has missed much of 2015 due to injury and is currently rehabilitating after shoulder surgery, has also been named in the squad, which includes 12 specialist batsmen, three wicketkeepers, one fast-bowling allrounder, eight fast bowlers and six spinners.

Shami and Wriddhiman Saha, who missed the third Test against Sri Lanka with a hamstring injury, will be assessed by medical staff ahead of the 72-day series, which encompasses three T20 fixtures, five ODIs and four Tests.  

Quick Single: Full India v South Africa series schedule

In last month’s three-match series against the Lankans, captain Virat Kohli led India to a first away Test series success since 2011.

“The way we won this series should be the right kind of catalyst for us to play the same kind of cricket in future as well,” Kohli said following the come-from-behind 2-1 series victory.

“We maintain that drawing a Test match or thinking of those sort of things has to be the last option for our group of guys right now.

“They have responded beautifully and there is nothing better than winning.

“I think this might be the right kind of boost that we require ... these are special moments.

“These are the kind of things you remember when you are done with your career.

“This is the right kind of push that this team needed.”

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Kohli’s group faces another daunting challenge in South Africa, ranked the world’s No.1 Test team, who have not played a Test in India since February 2010.

South Africa thrashed India by an innings in the first of that two-match series, with current Proteas captain Hashim Amla making 253 not out and pace spearhead Dale Steyn taking 10 wickets for the match.

And despite Amla adding to a phenomenal record in the country with a pair of hundreds in the second Test, India turned the tables, winning by an innings and squaring the series.

India squad: Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Karun Nair, Suresh Raina, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Pragyan Ojha, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohit Sharma, Karn Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Dhawal Kulkarni, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey.