Off-spinner R Ashwin. Photo: Getty Images
Rising off-spinner R Ashwin today replaced out-of-form senior tweaker Harbhajan Singh in the top
bracket of BCCI's list of central retainership contracts, while struggling pacer Ishant Sharma was also demoted from Grade A to B.
Harbhajan and Ishant have spent the better part of this year out of the team struggling for form in whatever chances they have been handed.
The 26-year-old Ashwin, on the other hand, has played eight Tests since making his debut in November last year, grabbing 49 wickets. In the recent home series against New Zealand, he had taken 18 wickets in two Tests.
In the ODIs, he has scalped 56 wickets in 40 matches. The Chennai-bowler has 12 wickets from his 15 Twenty20 International appearances.
The elite Grade A features nine players this year, three down from the last season, according to a press release issued by the BCCI.
With the retired duo of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman out of the equation Ashwin was only new name in the top bracket, the players in which are paid an annual retainership of Rs one crore.
The likes of veteran Sachin Tendulkar, under-fire skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the struggling opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and fading pace spearhead Zaheer Khan retained their Grade A contracts.
The in-form Virat Kohli, middle-order batsman Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh completed the top category, all three retaining their contracts.
In Grade B, the BCCI has offered contracts to eight players, three more than last season with batsman Rohit Sharma being the only one to have retained his contract.
Tag : #BCCI #Harbhajan Singh #R Ashwin
from
PTI
Shiv shifts focus to the European Challenge Tour
Shiv Kapur, who has had mixed results this season on the main European Tour, has decided to focus on the European Challenge Tour for the next few months this year.
from AP
Potro, Baker, Fish pull out of French Open
Seventh-ranked Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of the upcoming French Open because of a respiratory virus.
from AP
Raikkonen plays down Grand Prix chances
The Monaco Grand Prix should be less about tire degradation and more about pole position, as Formula One returns for its showcase race on a street circuit that is notoriously difficult to overtake on.
from
IANS
'Sports was clean during father’s time'
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, daughter of badminton icon Prakash Padukone, says sports was pure and clean during her fathers time.
from
AP
Murray out of French Open due to injury
Andy Murray withdrew from the French Open because of a chronic back injury and will now focus on preparing for the start of the grass-court season next month.
from
IBNLive
How exactly does betting in cricket work?
As the interrogation of arrested actor Vindoo Dara Singh reveals heavy betting in the IPL, the question is as to how exactly does betting in cricket work. It is much like any other business but for a few fascinating exceptions.
from
AP
Coach Mourinho to bid Real Madrid goodbye
Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after three years at the Spanish club, paving the way for his expected return to Chelsea.
