Test career uncertain, Ishant Sharma ‘unreachable’ for Ranji

Ishant Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. While Wriddhiman has communicated to Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) that he is not available for the Ranji Trophy, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has not received any sort of message from Ishant on his availability. DDCA waited to hear from Ishant till Wednesday afternoon before sitting down to pick the team which is scheduled to leave for Guwahati on Thursday morning.

Read AlsoWriddhiman Saha opts out of Bengal's Ranji campaign after being told he won't be required for Test matches

In a major development, senior wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has opted out of Bengal's Ranji Trophy campaign after being categorically told that he will not be picked for India's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting in Mohali on March 4. It is understood that the new team management has

TOI has learnt that both Wriddhiman and Ishant have been spoken to about their future by the senior members of team management and selectors. “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 told TOI. As for Rahane and Pujara, it has been learnt that the out of form duo have been put on notice. They may have to score heavily in domestic cricket to cement their places in the Test team. “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 said.

Read AlsoRanji Trophy: Five-day quarantine, squad size capped at 30, Cheteshwar Pujara versus Ajinkya Rahane in Ahmedabad

The opening round of Ranji Trophy matches will begin from February 17