3 Players who can replace Ishant Sharma in New Zealand Tests

The pace-troika of Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have been one of the major reasons behind India’s dominance in Test cricket. India are on top of the ladder in the ICC World Test Championship, having notched 360 points with victories in all their matches.

Their next assignment in the format is against New Zealand, starting February 21 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. India are most likely to have Jasprit Bumrah back after the pacer recovered from a back injury. But the visitors will be missing out on Ishant’s services.

The Delhi fast bowler developed a grade three ankle tear and has been ruled out of the Test series. Interestingly, he sustained the strain while appealing on his follow-through. The Indian management will now need to find his apt replacement.

In the article, let’s take a look at three bowlers, who can replace Ishant Sharma: –

1. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj made his debut for India back in November 2017. Ever since, he has only played a solitary ODI and three T20Is. However, the Hyderabad fast bowler has kept performing on a consistent basis in the domestic circuit. Hence, he has been a part of India A’s setup for some time.

The 25-year-old can be roped in as Ishant’s replacement, bearing in mind his first-class numbers. In 33 matches, Siraj has 142 wickets with four five-wicket hauls. The pacer is known for his immaculate channels and his ability to generate movement off the track.

It means that the conditions in New Zealand can turn out to be handy for the speedster. Siraj was once picked for the two-match home Test series against the West Indies in October 2018, but he didn’t get to play.

2. Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini was picked for the maiden Test in the one-off game versus Afghanistan back in June 2018. He replaced Mohammed Shami, but had to warm the bench. In August 2019, the Delhi fast bowler made his debut for India in the West Indies and impressed right away.

The speedster also bowled a wicket-maiden in the 20th over of a T20I, dismissing opposition skipper Kieron Pollard. Later in December, he got his maiden ODI cap as well. Saini can be a like-for-like replacement for Ishant.

Like the latter, even Navdeep prefers to hit the deck hard, generating speeds in excess of 150 kph. The seamer recently recovered from a groin injury and must to be raring to go. In first-class cricket, the 27-year-old has 125 wickets in 45 matches with four five-wicket hauls to his name.

3. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has been honing his skills at the first-class level for Mumbai since November 2012. The 28-year-old fast bowler has 206 wickets in 62 matches with 12 five-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. In 2017, he was rewarded with a national call-up in the tour of Sri Lanka.

But consistency has tended to elude him. In October 2018, the right-armer got to represent his nation in Test cricket. Of late, he has plied his trade for the Men in Blue in ODIs and T20Is and hasn’t overly disappointed, albeit he hasn’t picked up a whole lot of wickets.

Thakur’s impressive numbers in red-ball cricket shows that he has the ingredients to succeed at the highest level as well. He can replace Ishant and can also be the apt partner for rest of the Indian pacers, who have ruffled a few feathers of late.