Nikhil Chopra opens up on Ishant Sharma's Test future

Former India player Nikhil Chopra believes that there is still a chance for India pacer Ishant Sharma to represent the country again, largely because of his experience. The veteran bowler did not get to play a game on the South Africa tour and was eventually dropped from the squad for the Sri Lanka Tests.

However, India’s growing pace department has made it difficult for the veteran to stake his claim in the squad. His fitness and level of performance have not helped his selection also. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Mohammad Siraj are viewed by the team as their first-choice pace attack with the likes of Prasidh Krishna and Avesh Khan being groomed for the future as well.

Nikhil Chopra said on the Khelneeti podcast: “Ishant Sharma still has an outside chance of playing again. The pace battery for the coming series will be in the need of an experienced bowler. Youngsters are performing really well, So I think he will be used as a backup bowler.”

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He continued: “You now have Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami ahead of Ishant Sharma at the moment and unfortunately, if India loses a player to injury, then you can use Sharma. After playing 100 Test matches, you expect a player to take at least 3 wickets apiece in domestic cricket and win games for the team.”

Ishant Sharma has failed to pick up a single wicket in his last two Test appearances for India. He returned with the figures of 0-92, 0-32 and 0-20 across the series at Headingley and Green Park last year against England and New Zealand respectively.

“There is a belief that there is still a chance for Ishant Sharma” – Saba Karim

He said: “There are many spots for pace bowlers in the squad, up to 5 spots are available out of 15. So, bowlers with experience will always have a chance of making it to the squad if they are in good form. So there is a belief that there is still a chance for Sharma.”

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Saba Karim has stated on Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma, who were not selected for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as well.

He concluded: “In Saha’s scenario, there was only one spot on the team. Dravid never suggested Saha retire, he just explained that the team are exploring different options at the moment. If Sharma wants to come back, he has to perform, otherwise, there is no possibility.”