India vs England: Ishant could be dropped for Oval Test, Ashwin may get his first game

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Updates by

Hamza Taqui

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NEW DELHI: 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 a three-pronged pace unit.

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

 Meanwhile, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's knee scan report hasn't revealed any significant damage but off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin looks favourite to start in the fourth Test at the Oval from September 2.

It is still not clear whether India will plan to go in with two specialist spinners but Ashwin, who had a great county game for Surrey at the same venue won't be benched at least in this game.