India will miss Ishant but get Ashwin boost

Subhash Rajta

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Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 3

Ishant Sharma bowled his heart out at the nets on Tuesday. The Indian pace-spearhead looked sharp and incisive, making the batsmen a tad uncomfortable and hurry into their strokes. With him looking quite impressive, everyone in the Indian camp, including the bowler himself, must have regretted the moment of madness in Sri Lanka that earned him a one-match ban which will keep him out of the first Test.

Sharma has been a much improved bowler for about one year now, and looked extremely impressive during India’s tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year. Besides, even when he was going through a rather ordinary phase in his career, he always managed to raise his game in Mohali, especially in the company of Zaheer Khan.

So with the kind of form he’s in and Mohali being the ground where he bowls better, India are going to feel his absence in the first Test. 

The good news to emerge for India at the bowling front is R Ashwin’s recovery from injury and his availability for the first Test. “Ashwin is bowling magnificently. He is absolutely fine,” said Shastri, clearing all doubts about the off-spinner’s fitness. 

The team director, however, was pretty evasive when asked if India would continue with their aggressive approach and field five bowlers. “It’s not about five bowlers. It’s about balance, the combination that gets you 20 wickets. We could field even four spinners if there’s a track for it,” he said.

He was, however, pretty vociferous in his demand for a favourable wicket. “I believe at home you should play to your strength, there is no need to hide behind that issue. It has been happening over the years and that’s what you expect in your own country.” 

By the look of things, it seems he will get that advantage at Mohali at least.