IND vs SA: You Need To Give Ishant Sharma The Exact Reason: Shaun Pollock On Senior Indian Bowler Being Dropped

Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said that the Indian team’s think tank must have honest communication with senior bowler Ishant Sharma.

Umesh Yadav was picked ahead of Ishant as the replacement for Mohammed Siraj in the ongoing Cape Town Test.

Is it the end of Ishant Sharma’s Test career?

Ishant has played 105 Test matches for India since his debut against Bangladesh in 2007, he has picked 311 Test wickets at an average of 32.41. The lanky bowler has picked 20 wickets from seven Tests in South Africa.

The 33-year-old bowler played his last Test against New Zealand in Kanpur before he was ruled out of the second Test in Mumbai as he dislocated his little finger on his left hand during the final day of the first Test.

Ishant Sharma needs to be respected for what he has done: Shaun Pollock

Pollock, who has played 108 Test matches for South Africa, feels that the senior Indian pacer must be communicated the reason behind his snub.

“I think the communication needs to be good. The guy needs to be respected for what he has done. You need to be honest with him and you need to give him the exact reason. If the reason was ‘we think you would be better suited if there were no left-handers,’ he just has to accept that,” Pollock said on Cricbuzz.

“It’s not easy, when you have played that much amount of cricket and have given some really good service. The conditions are good in South Africa and he must be dying for an opportunity, particularly after those two pitches. He must be thinking, ‘Gosh if I could just have a game here, I’m sure I could make an impact’,” he added.

India bowled out South Africa on 210 as Jasprit Bumrah claimed his seventh Test five-wicket haul after returning with the figures of 5/42.

South Africa bowling pair  Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada got the Indian openers early in the second innings. 

Indian skipper Virat Kohli (14*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9*) stood firm at the crease as India gained a lead of 70 runs at the end of Day 2. 

Also Read: Wasim Jaffer Thinks It Will Be Difficult For Ishant Sharma To Make It In India’s Test Playing XI Again