Indian pacer Ishant Sharma might lose his place for the South Africa tour as he has not delivered any big performances for Team India in recent times.
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Ishant Sharma stands second in the list of highest wicket takers for Team India in tests amongst pacers. Sharma has not performed up to the expectations made even in the ongoing test series against NZ at home.
Ishant Sharma went wicketless in the Kanpur test and he missed the Mumbai test after dislocating his left little finger. Mohammad Siraj was the one to replace Ishant for the second test at Mumbai. Earlier during India’s tour to England, Ishant Sharma did not deliver much with the leather and lost his position in the playing XI.
Mohammad Siraj has done an excellent job for Team India in both home and away conditions. Siraj picked up three wickets in the first innings in a pitch which favors the spinners.
According to reports, Ishant Sharma’s position in the playing XI is in doubt as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami are the obvious two picks. It is unlikely for the selectors to ignore in form Mohammad Siraj. Additionally, Umesh Yadav who has been India’s go to man in tests will regain his position.
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Apart from Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane might lose his position in the playing XI.
“Obviously, he is going to South Africa but had he not got injured, there was a high chance of him getting dropped from the eleven. So, if he is not a sure-shot starter, how can he remain the deputy. If Rahane is removed from vice-captaincy, Rohit is the obvious choice. He was in fact vice-captain in Australia Test series in last two games,” a BCCI official said.
A big decision on Virat Kohli’s captaincy in ODIs will also be taken by Chetan Sharma led selection panel after having a meeting with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
“As of now, it looks difficult that Virat would be able to keep his ODI captaincy but since ODI isn’t important this year with very few matches here and there, one can think of delaying the decision,” the official added.
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