ENG vs IND 2021: Reason why Ishant Sharma is not playing the first Test revealed

Cricket fans will witness a blockbuster clash as two heavyweights of world cricket, India and England will lock horns in a five-match Test series on England soil. And, for the first Test, veteran pacer Ishant Sharma was not named in the Indian playing XI.

While Ishant Sharma’s omission might surely raise a few eyebrows, it is suspected that the veteran pacer is not fully fit to play the first Test. It is also to be noted that Ishant Sharma injured his right hand in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, and sources reveal that he might have suffered a tear as well.

And as a result, Sharma is not a part of the Indian playing XI for the first Test against Joe Root and his men. Indian skipper Virat Kohli revealed at the toss that India will go with a four-pronged pace attack.

And the four pacers who have been named in the Indian playing XI are Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Mohammed Siraj. The lone spinner’s spot in the Indian side will be taken by Ravindra Jadeja.

Virat Kohli added that it is a rare opportunity for the Indian side to win a Test series in both England and Australia in the same year. He also stated that he feels grateful to play in front of the crowd as well.

“Our bowling combination is: Bumrah, Shami, Thakur, Siraj and Jadeja as the spinner. You could call it an accumulation of all the hardwork we have put in over the years. The opportunity to win in England and Australia in the same year is rare. To get opportunities in such times to play and play in front of crowds as well, we are grateful,” said Virat Kohli at the toss.

Ishant Sharma is one of the legends of Indian cricket

Ishant Sharma is the 6th highest wicket-taker for the Indian side in Test match cricket and has scalped 306 wickets at an average of 32.18. Sharma has also picked up 11 five-wicket hauls in his illustrious Test career.

Ishant Sharma was last seen in an Indian jersey during the summit clash of the World Test Championship (WTC). In the final against New Zealand, the right arm pacer picked up 3 wickets in both the innings put together.