Ishant gets a break, Dinda, Tyagi for T20s

Paceman Ishant Sharma, who was not included in the playing XI of the last two Tests against Sri Lanka, has been omitted from the ODI squad selected for the first two games.

Paceman Ishant Sharma, who was not included in the playing XI of the last two Tests against Sri Lanka, has been omitted from the ODI squad selected for the first two games. He, however, finds a place in the squad for the two T20 internationals.

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Sources in the BCCI say Ishant, who had not been in good form of late, has been rested and not dropped. Ishant had played in the first four matches of the ODI series against Australia before being dropped for the next two. The seventh match was washed out.

Despite the board’s view that he needs rest, the bowler, who admits he is struggling, feels that match practice is the only way to get back to form.

“It is only a matter of time. I have to concentrate on domestic matches to get my act right. Ranji Trophy will be the best platform for me to prove myself again,” he told IANS.

Meanwhile, India’s hero at the second Test in Kanpur, Sreesanth has been picked in both squads.

While the Kerala speedster finds his name on the list, Munaf Patel, who was part of the ODI squad against Australia, has not been included. Zaheer Khan makes a comeback in the ODIs though he has been rested from the T20s.

India’s failure at the World T20 this year has meant quite a few changes for the shortest version.

Apart from Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja have also been left out. Praveen Kumar’s good performances in the Ranji Trophy didn’t help him retain his place for the T20s.

The selectors have, instead, picked pacemen Ashoke Dinda and Sudeep Tyagi besides Sreesanth and all-rounder R Ashwin.