Ishant Sharma 'unreachable' for Ranji Trophy: Reports

Winds of change seem to be blowing in Indian cricket with the team-management looking to move on from senior players like Wriddhiman Saha, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and pacer Ishant Sharma.

According to a report published in TOI, the management has categorically told the senior players that they are looking to groom the next set of players for the future.

After Wriddhiman Saha announced his unavailability to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for the upcoming season of the Ranji Trophy, it has been learnt that the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) are yet to hear from Ishant Sharma regarding his availability for the first-class season.

The selectors didn't gear from the lanky pacer till Wednesday afternoon before they sat down to pick the squad for the 2021/22 season.

"They have been told that the Indian team management is looking to groom the next line of players. Their chances of playing Tests would drop drastically,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI.

As far as the duo of Pujara and Rahane is concerned, the veteran batters have been put on notice by the management following a sustained lean patch in the last 15 months.

The duo will need to score heavily in the domestic season to earn their place for Sri Lankan Tests. 

"Things don’t look flowery for Rahane and Pujara too. They are playing Ranji Trophy which is a good sign. They are walking a tight rope though,” the source added.

"This is a good chance to give youngsters a longer run. However, the house is still divided between Pujara and Rahane. With Covid playing a big role, the dearth backup middle order batters for the next line is going to be tough,” the source said.

With regards to Ishant, the veteran seamer is one of the three Indian pacers to claim 300 Test wickets. But, in the last 15 months, the Delhi cricketer has been plagued with poor fitness and form.

He played just two Tests during the English summer, where he was criticised for being unfit. He did not feature in a single Test in the recent series in South Africa, with Umesh Yadav preferred over him for the series decider following an injury to Mohammed Siraj.

Ishant has featured in 105 Tests for the country since making his debut back in 2007. In 105 games, he has taken 311 wickets at an average of 32.41 which includes 11 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-for. He has also represented India in 80 ODIs and 14 T20Is, claiming 115 and 8 wickets respectively.