ICC World Cup 2019: Ishant Sharma included in India’s reserves - Report

Ishant Sharma had a decent outing with Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 with 10 wickets from 10 matches with an economy rate of 7.65.

Ishant Sharma has joined the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant in India’s reserves list for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019, according to a report in Times of India. The other standby in the list is Navdeep Saini.

A file photo of Indian cricket team fast bowler Ishant Sharma. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

Ishant had a decent outing with Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 with 10 wickets from 10 matches with an economy rate of 7.65. With the Capitals playing in the playoffs of the competition, the fast bowler will have more chances to impress the authorities with his performances in the tournament.

“Saini is our No 1 choice as a reserve seamer, while Ishant is the second option. He has experience of bowling in the English conditions, and he’s bowling well currently,” a BCCI source told Times of India.

With the ICC having done away with the probables list, the BCCI does have the provision of including anyone apart from these three but it is unlikely to happen.

While Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar will be travelling with the team purely as net bowlers, they can also be drafted in if the team management feels so. Saini too is among the reserves travelling with the team.

“Khaleel, Avesh and Deepak are not designated stand bys. In case of bowlers, that possibility is there but when it comes purely to batsmen, it will be either Rishabh or Rayudu.”