Ishant Sharma has informed the Delhi and District Cricket Association that he will not be available for selection for the upcoming Ranji Trophy as he is likely to be left out of Team India's future Test team plans.
According to the Times of India, Sharma was unreachable for several days until moments before the DDCA selection committee meeting. He then informed DDCA president Rohan Jaitley that he is unwilling to play.
Sharma's decision comes close on the heels of Wriddhiman Saha also opting out of representing Bengal at the Ranji Trophy as the national team management has made it clear to the two veterans that they are being phased out and will not be picked for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka next month.
The 33-year-old Sharma was not picked in any of the three Tests in South Africa. With Mohammed Siraj missing the third Test due to an injury, Umesh Yadav was preferred to Sharma.
Youngsters like Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan and Navdeep Saini are reportedly being groomed for Tests to be Sharma's long-term replacement.
The rise of Rishabh Pant has dealt a blow to the 37-year-old Saha's selection hopes. Having already spent most of his career in the shadow of M.S. Dhoni, Saha was the top choice keeper in Tests after Dhoni's retirement, but that stint seems to have come to an end.
The team management is looking to groom K.S. Bharat as backup to Pant.
Meanwhile, India's U-19 World Cup-winning captain Yash Dhull has been picked by Delhi to play in the Ranji Trophy. The young batsman has impressed the selectors and despite the wealth of talent in the team, he could still get a look-in.
The first phase of the new Ranji Trophy season begins today and goes on until March 15. The second phase will be played after the IPL, from May 30 to June 26.
