Veteran Harbhajan Singh has been drafted into India's one-day squad for the South Africa series following an injury to fellow off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian board said on Sunday.

Ashwin suffered a side strain while attempting to field off his own bowling during the first one-dayer at the Green Park in Kanpur on Sunday and left the field after bowling 3.4 overs.

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He returned to bowl only one more over before hobbling off again, raising doubts about his availability for the rest of the five-match series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not rule out Ashwin, who was playing his 100th one-dayer, but summoned Harbhajan to join the squad as a precaution.

"After making a detailed assessment of the injury, the medical team will confirm the timeframe required for Ashwin to fully recover from the injury," the BCCI said in a statement.

"Harbhajan Singh has been included in the squad and will join the team before the second match in Indore on Wednesday."

Harbhajan, 35, has claimed 263 wickets in 232 one-day internationals.