IND vs SA Live: End of road for Ishant Sharma? – India’s 105-Test veteran Ishant Sharma’s career is on the line. The veteran pacer has lost his speed and hasn’t been amongst wickets. He is not one of the first names in the team and despite Mohammed Siraj missing out with injury, Ishant is unlikely to feature, raising doubts over his Test career. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer said after South Africa Test series, Ishant could call it a time. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport. IN.
“If Bumrah, Shami, Siraj are fit, they are the first three seamers. Then you have Shardul and Umesh. Shardul is an all-rounder now so that makes him choose ahead. So, definitely, for Ishant, it will be difficult to play consistently,” Wasim Jaffer told InsideSport.IN on InsideCricket show.
IND vs SA Live: Ishant Sharma set to miss out once again, Wasim Jaffer says ‘He could take a call on Test career after South Africa series’
Ishant Sharma drew blanks in the last two Test matches. Against England in Leeds, he returned without any wicket while against New Zealand at home, he drew blank once again. He was not in his rhythm in the Kanpur Test and was dropped from Mumbai Test. In 2021, he bagged just 14 wickets in 8 matches while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and even Shardul Thakur have more wickets than him.
Indian pacers in 2021:
- Mohammed Siraj: 36 wickets in 12 matches @ 29.97 avg
- Jasprit Bumrah: 30 wickets in 9 matches @ 26.53
- Mohammed Shami: 23 wickets in 5 matches @ 22.48
- Shardul Thakur: 16 wickets in 4 matches @ 23.19
- Ishant Sharma: 14 wickets in 8 matches @ 32.71
IND vs SA Live: Ishant Sharma set to miss out once again, Wasim Jaffer says ‘He could take a call on Test career after South Africa series’
It’s GO time here in Cape Town 👏 👏#TeamIndia all set and prepping for the series decider 👍 👍#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/RgPSPkNdk1
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2022
IND vs SA Live: Ishant Sharma set to miss out once again, Wasim Jaffer says ‘He could take a call on Test career after South Africa series’
The issue with Ishant Sharma of late has been his restrictive style. With diminishing speed, the veteran has taken a restrictive approach — something that doesn’t match with India’s and especially Virat Kohli’s attacking approach. Hence, he has ended up being a rotation player like it was the case in England and in the series against New Zealand.
“Obviously, when you are on long tours, the top seamers will be rested or the line-up will be rotated and probably then a place for Ishant will open up. In that case, he will play a few games. But I feel for somebody like Ishant Sharma who has played over 100 Tests and taken over 300 wickets, I don’t think that is right. So, somewhere I feel he will take a call after South Africa series. I am sure, he must be thinking about this too,” Wasim Jaffer told InsideSport.
IND vs SA Live: Ishant Sharma set to miss out once again, Wasim Jaffer says ‘He could take a call on Test career after South Africa series’
On Sunday, he had one chance to prove his mettle in the nets of Newlands where India will be playing the 3rd and final Test. However, the final practice session on Monday will decide whether Ishant Sharma will get another go or Kanpur Test was his last Test match for India.
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