India vs Eng 4th Test: Ishant Sharma to make way for Ravichandran Ashwin for Oval Test?

There has been no confirmation whether Ishant Sharma, who has had a history of ankle injuries as well as side strain issues, was fully fit during the third Test match.

India’s senior-most pacer Ishant Sharma may not find place in the playing XI in the remaining two Tests against England after an indifferent show in the third match, which the visitors lost by an innings and 76 runs. Ishant’s figures of 22-0-92-0 were worst among the Indian pacers as England scored 432 runs but more importantly, the veteran looked jaded. The gingerly run-up never transformed into the bustling Ishant that the fans are accustomed to watch. He bowled primarily in the late 120kmph and early 130kmph but was hardly penetrative, effectively turning India’s attack into three-pronged pace unit. There has been no confirmation whether Ishant, who has had a history of ankle injuries as well as side strain issues, was fully fit during the third Test match. Skipper Virat Kohli refused to speak about Ishant's performance after the match but did indicate that there will be changes keeping in mind the workload of the pace bowlers. However Ishant, who didn’t play the first Test has bowled 56 overs across three innings with five wickets to show for his efforts. It’s clear that during this English summer since the World Test Championship final Ishant does not seem to have the sting when he bowls third or fourth spell.