Indian cricket captain M.S. Dhoni has ruled out fast bowler Ishant Sharma from the fourth Test to be played against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, from August 7.
“Definitely, he won’t be fit for the next game,” Dhoni said during the post-match presentation at the Ageas Bowl.
“Never really had a discussion with our physio, but as of now, he won’t be available for the fourth Test match,” Dhoni added.
India had been forced to leave Ishant out of the third Test after he suffered what the team management described as a “sore leg”.
Ishant, who took a match-winning seven-wicket haul in the final innings of the Lord’s Test, was replaced by Pankaj Singh, who went wicketless on his Test debut at Southampton.
Dhoni was speaking after England wrapped up a 266-run win in the first session of the fifth day, with India adding only 66 to their overnight total for the loss of their last six wickets. Moeen Ali, the offspinning allrounder, picked up a six-wicket haul.
Dhoni said India didn’t bat with the right approach against Moeen.
“I don’t think we played good cricket over here, but at the same time, I think we played the fast bowlers well,” Dhoni said.
He added: “Moeen I think he bowled well, but still we let him bowl well. It is very important to be positive against the spinner, especially when there is not much on offer. I think he bowled very good lines. If you keep defending, one odd ball will turn because there is considerable amount of wear and tear on the wicket.”
Dhoni said that Indian batsmen were short on patience, and that was what cost the visitors the match.
Asked whether India had the resources to bounce back from the defeat, Dhoni said they did, provided they played more positively. (ANI)