‘Injured’ Ishant turns up for Delhi as chief selector lands

India pacer, after a poor Australia tour, had opted out of Delhi squad citing fitness. Shalabh Manocha reports.

Surprises can never be far away when the Delhi cricket association is involved. However, it stumped everyone when India pacer Ishant Sharma, who pulled out of the squad citing his fitness before the tournament, suddenly turned up on Tuesday to face Services in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence that the chairman of the national selection committee, K Srikkanth, was at the Ferozshah Kotla, a day before the team for the Asia Cup in Dhaka is picked.

Ishant, who had a poor Australia tour, had told Delhi selectors he wanted to ensure he was fully fit. His name was not there in the squad for the last two games. Included at the last moment, Ishant took one wicket against one of the weakest sides in the field.

HT Image

Delhi made four changes in the eleven from the last match, leaving out their highest wicket taker, Parwinder Awana besides Ashish Nehra, opener Unmukt Chand and left arm spinner Varun Sood.

Delhi coach Sanjeev Sharma attributed the changes to a rotation policy as they had already qualified for the knockouts.

It was strange to see Awana rested as he would have got the opportunity to bowl with the chief selector present. He would have got five days rest in any case as Delhi are likely to play their first knockout game only on March 6.

“Awana was rested because we want him fresh for the knockouts. As far as the presence of the Srikkanth is concerned, it doesn’t matter. Awana will get many more chances to impress the selectors.”