Duleep Trophy 2017: Ishant Sharma Recalled In India Blue Squad

India fast-bowler Ishant Sharma has been asked to join the India Blue squad for the ongoing Duleep Trophy to get the much-needed match practise. The lanky pacer was initially included in the  Suresh Raina-led side but was later omitted as he was eyeing to play county cricket.

However, with no favorable deal being struck, the pacer was recalled by the selectors to play in the Duleep Trophy. Ishant is likely to take the field when India Blue and India Green lock horns against each other on Tuesday (September 19).

“Yes, Ishant has reached Kanpur. He will be playing for the India Blue team led by Suresh Raina. He has been way short of match practice and high time he hits the straps. It was the national selectors, who instructed him to play this particular Duleep Trophy game,”a senior BCCI official told PTI.

Ishant has fallen down the pecking order in the national team. The Delhi star, who was the pace spearhead of the Test team not too long ago, has lost his regular place in the playing eleven and is now the fourth choice pacer behind Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Still to play a competitive match since this year’s IPL, Ishant last Test match appearance came in the Ranchi Test against Australia in March this year.

Meanwhile, the upcoming game between India Blue and India Green is a a crucial one especially for the latter. While India Red are assured of a place in the final after winning and drawing their first two games, India Green, led by Parthiv Patel, lost their tournament-opener while Raina-led India Blue drew their first game.

Squads:

India Green:

Parthiv Patel (Capt, wk), Prashant Chopra, Nitin Saini, Kaushik Gandhi, Manpreet Juneja, Shivam Chowdhary, Amandeep Khare, Parveez Rasool, Mayank Dagar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Varun Aaron, Aniketh Chowdhary and Anupam Sanklecha.

India Blue:

Suresh Raina (Capt), Samit Gohel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, KS Bharat, Manoj Tiwari, Deepak Hooda, Ishaan Kishan( wk), Akshay Wakhare, Bharghav Bhat, Ishant Sharma, Pankaj Rao, Jaydev Unadkat, Sagun Kamat and Pankaj Singh.