Ishant Sharma, India’s ace pacer, may not find place in the playing XI in the remaining two Tests against England after his drab performance in the third match, which India lost by an innings and 76 runs.
His figures of 22-0-92-0 were worst among the Indian pacers as the hosts scored 432 runs but more importantly, the bowler looked jaded. The gingerly run-up never transformed into the bustling Ishant that the fans are accustomed to watch.
He bowled primarily in the late 120 kmph and early 130 kmph but was hardly efficacious in scalping the wickets, effectively turning India’s attack into a three-pronged pace unit.
Nevertheless, there has been no confirmation whether Ishant, who has had a history of ankle injuries as well as side strain issues, was fully fit during the third Test match.
Virat Kohli, India’s captain, who himself looks not in a good touch, refused to comment on Ishant’s performance after the match, however, did indicate that there will be changes considering the workload of the pace bowlers.
Ishant, who didn’t play the first Test has bowled 56 overs across three innings with five wickets to show for his efforts.
Clearly, during this English summer since the World Test Championship final Ishant does not seem to have the sting when he bowls third or fourth spell.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s knee scan report hasn’t revealed any significant damage but the trump card in the avatar of Ashwin looks favourite to start in the fourth Test at the Oval from September 2.
Whether India will plan to go in with two specialist spinners but Ashwin, who had a great county game for Surrey at the same venue won’t be benched at least in this game— the saga remains unclear.
If Ishant is benched, the choice would again be between Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur.
Thakur with his better batting abilities has the upper hand, but Yadav is certainly a better red ball bowler than the Mumbaikar.
However, with the skipper clearly indicating that workload will be monitored, it remains to be seen whether the seasoned Mohammed Shami with 11 wickets from 96.5 overs is rested to keep him fresh for the final Test or Jasprit Bumrah.
Veteran Jaspreet Bumrah has bowled the maximum overs among Indian pacers (108 overs) taking 14 wickets. He is likely to play most games for Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League and is a very important member of the T20 World Cup team.
HEADINGLY: England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler will miss the upcoming Oval Test against India, head coach Chris Silverwood confirmed on Sunday.
“We would like to wish Jos and his family all the very best for the impending birth of their second child. Unfortunately, he will miss this Test, and we’ll then see if he returns for the final Test at Emirates Old Trafford,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Silverwood as saying. “Jonny Bairstow will take over wicketkeeping duties, which he is relishing. As we all know, he has the skills to seamlessly take over from Jos and the ability to score crucial runs in the middle-order if called upon. Sam Billings, who was in the Test squad for the New Zealand series earlier this summer, returns as reserve keeper. He understands how we want to approach our cricket and is a popular member of the group. He will fit in well with the rest of the group,” he added.
Silverwood also said that Chris Woakes is in contention to play the upcoming fourth Test against India, with the series evenly poised at 1-1.