Ishant Sharma Set To Join Delhi Ranji Trophy Squad, To Be Available For Selection From Second Game Onwards

Veteran Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has taken a U-turn after making himself unavailable for the Ranji Trophy 2022. He is now all set to join the Delhi squad ahead of their first game against Tamil Nadu. Ishant will be available for selection from the second game onwards after he completes his mandatory quarantine.

Delhi’s second game is against Jharkhand from February 24. The third and final Delhi match is against Chhattisgarh. An official from Delhi’s Ranji Trophy squad has confirmed PTI regarding Ishant Sharma joining the squad earlier today.

Ishant Sharma Went Unsold In IPL 2022 Mega Auction

“Ishant is reaching today. He will be available from the second game. It would have been better for the team if both the pacers were available from the first game but their return is welcome and it will bolster the team,” a team source told PTI.

Furthermore a DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association) official said that Ishant took a U-turn on his decision after going unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction.

“If he won’t even play Ranji Trophy, there is no reference available for any team to even remotely think of him. Even for national selectors to reconsider him, he needs to play. Had he got an IPL deal, he might have skipped. He has a 3.30 pm flight today,” the official said.

The rise of a few Indian bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and most recently Prasidh Krishna has seen Ishant Sharma fall out of favour for the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series. There are reports that the selectors might give chance to the young bowlers instead of the veteran. He has taken 311 wickets in 105 Test matches in India so far.

India’s U-19 skipper Yash Dhull will open the batting for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. He will open the batting alongside Dhruv Shorey in a must-win game for both teams.

“He is ready to open. He is in form and it is best that he is given an opportunity when he is doing well. There is little point in selecting him and not playing him,” the source close to the Delhi squad confirmed.

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