Ashwin 'absolutely fine', will play first Test against SA: Shastri

INDIAN TEAM DIRECTOR Ravi Shastri on Tuesday confirmed Ravichandran Ashwin's availability for the first Test against South Africa at Mohali, saying the offie is 'absolutely fine'.

Ashwin, who spearheads India's spin attack, suffered a side-strain in the first ODI at Kanpur, and did not play the rest of the ODI series to avoid further damage to his injury. 

The off-spinner was spotted undergoing bowling drills during the Board President XI's practice game against the South Africans that ended in a draw a few days back. On Tuesday, he once again took the field for practice sessions at the PCA stadium in Mohali, giving an indication of his fitness.

"Ashwin is bowling magnificently. He is absolutely fine," said Shastri, according to a report in Zee News.

Earlier, South African middle-order batsman Faf du Plessis had admitted of being wary of his Chennai Super Kings teammate, declaring him the main threat for the Proteas. Opener Dean Elgar also seconded Faf's opinion and called Ashwin the spearhead of India's bowling attack.

Shastri though, had a few words of warning for the touring side, saying India have two more spinners and that they shouldn't be focusing too much on Ashwin.

"We have got two other spinners, who might just surprise if they focus too much on Ashwin," Shastri said.

Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja are the other two bowlers in India's spin department. 

India will face South Africa in the first of the four Test matches at Mohali on November 5.

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