Ishant Sharma released by the team management

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been released by the team management from the squad to play in the fifth round of Ranji Trophy. He will lead Delhi in an all-important game against Maharashtra at home and look to book their spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Ishant failed to make it to the playing XI in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Kolkata at Eden Gardens as the team preferred to include Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the side.

He was released to play in the domestic arena as per the policy of team management for the past few years. The players who are not the part of the playing eleven are sent back to first-class cricket to keep them match ready. Delhi has got a major boost as the tall and experienced bowler had led the side admirably well and are currently second in the group only behind Karnataka. Maharashtra, on the other hand, are without Kedar Jadhav who has sustained wrist injury and is struggling at the fourth position.

Pant will be Ishant’s deputy

The team manager of Delhi Shankar Saini confirmed the news and said that Ishant Sharma will reach Delhi by evening. “Ishant will be reaching Delhi by evening and he will be leading the side. Rishabh Pant will be his deputy. We have got confirmation,” he told PTI on Thursday. Delhi is well in contention and in a better position than Maharashtra to grab the quarterfinal spot in the ongoing season of Ranji Trophy.

Maharashtra has 10 points to their name after four matches and needs outright victories to qualify which looks virtually impossible as Delhi is a stronger unit compared to them. However, the coach Surendra Bhave looked confident to make it to the next round. “We have our skipper Ankit Bawne, who has been a dependable longer format player. Rahul Tripathi had a great IPL and Rohit Motwani is coming at the back of a hundred in the last game. I am still confident we can qualify,” Bhave said while informing that Kedar is currently in NCA for strength and conditioning.