Ranji Trophy 2017-18: Ankle niggle rules out Ishant Sharma from the semis

Veteran Indian pacer, Ishant Sharma, will not be featuring in the semis of the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy. Ishant has been one of the seniormost members of the Delhi team in the recent times. His absence is bound to hurt the chances of the Delhi team against the much fancied Bengal side. Delhi and Bengal have done exceedingly well this season to make it to the penultimate stage in the tournament.

While Delhi had a competing win in their previous fixture, Bengal absolutely run routed the defending champions Gujarat to take a first innings lead in excess of 800! Coming to the semis, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) kept the upcoming tour of South Africa in mind before making announcements on the semi final matches. They released some of the big players of the South Africa-tour bound Indian team to participate in the semis.

This, in essence, would give them a final warm up before they head for the much hyped tough tour. Also, the fact that the Indian side will not be playing any warm up matches on the tour only validates the BCCI’s decision to let the big players play in the domestic tournament. The four players, other than Delhi’s Ishant Sharma, released by the board to play in the semis are Bengal’s Mohammad Shami, Wriddhiman Saha, Vidarbha’s Umesh Yadav and Karnataka’s K. L. Rahul.

Performances this season

Talking about Ishant’s performances this season, he was named as the captain of the Delhi team when the tournament commenced. He then joined the Indian side for the Sri Lanka series as Rishabh Pant assumed the captaincy duties.

Ishant Sharma scalped 20 wickets in four matches and has looked in prime form in the domestic circuit. He has reportedly informed the Delhi and District Cricket Association about his ankle niggle which will keep him out of the semis. Also, Akash Sudan retains his place in the side due to Sharma’s exit.