Veteran Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt was surprised how Indian skipper Virat Kohli neglected the question about Ishant Sharma, who was being a bit off rhythm in the third Test against England in Leeds, saying as a captain he should give attention to details minutely.
Ishant looked slightly off-color during the third Test, conceding 92 runs at an economy rate of over 4 in 22 overs with no wickets to his name and the way the senior pacer ran in Leeds suggested he might have a hamstring issue, but Kohli denied giving any detail regarding the same.
After India's crushing defeat at Headingley, Kohli said at the post-match conference: “I was busy in the field, and I was watching the batters from the slip. So how could I know whether he was off rhythm or having any niggle. I was just watching the batter from the slips and ready to the catches.”
Reacting to Indian skipper’s statement that he didn’t have time to look at Ishant’s run-up in Leeds, Butt said he could not understand the context of Kohli’s reply but doesn’t expect the pacer to be rested for the fourth Test at The Oval and if he does, then R Ashwin can make it to the playing XI against England.
Butt said on his YouTube channel: “Ishant Sharma was definitely off the boil and his rhythm wasn’t great, although Kohli negated such views during the press conference. He said that he was so busy in the field, he was looking at the batsman’s bat as he stands at slip. He wasn’t seeing how Ishant Sharma was running. Kohli gave his reply on being asked if the fast bowler had a niggle.”
He added, “I could not understand the context of Kohli’s reply. It is strange how Kohli neglected that question related to Ishant. As a captain, you must pay attention to minute details from the bowlers’ run-up to how he starts from the bowling crease whether his rhythm is okay or not. Is Virat Kohli looking at the batsman’s bat even when Ishant Shama is at the start of his run-up? I am quite surprised to know that. Remember, Ishant Sharma runs in from a pretty long distance.”
The former Pakistan captain said of Ishant’s performance in Leeds, “A lot of times, experienced players struggle due to some reason or the other. It could be a niggle or a mindset issue as well. At times, some time away from the game is good. Ishant Sharma did not look in any kind of rhythm at Headingley. Given how good a bowler he is, Ishant Sharma was definitely off the boil.”
Butt signed off by saying, “I don’t know, maybe a hamstring issue or something. India will definitely know about it. According to me, he can be rested. But it doesn’t look like Kohli is in the mood to rest Ishant Sharma unless the pitch demands so. Then, perhaps, India can bring in Ravichandran Ashwin or Shardul Thakur, depending on the conditions.”
