Ishant Sharma Wasn't Risked Due to Injury: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Ishant Sharma, who is the most experienced Indian fast bowler in the current squad, was given time to recuperate from his injury by Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the two warm-up games before the first ODI against Australia.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni confirmed that fast-bowler Ishant Sharma was available for selection but having sustained a finger injury, the team management decided it was too risky to play him in the first ODI against Australia at Perth. (Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Ishant Sharma Left Teamless Ahead of IPL 9)
With Mohammed Shami also ruled out of the limited over series through hamstring injury, it would have been a risky ploy to play a semi-fit Ishant. (All Eyes on Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma Ahead of Team Selection)
"Ishant had a finger injury but he was available for selection. But had he played, there was a chance that he would got hit again in the same finger and miss the remaining four matches. Therefore, despite being available, we decided not to take the risk of playing him," Dhoni said at the post-match press conference.
Ahead of the first one-day international which India lost, Ishant also did not take part in the two warm-up games. (Rohit Sharma's Ton in Vain as Steven Smith, George Bailey Star in Hosts' Win)
The visitors lost the first of the five ODIs by five wickets with Indian bowlers taken to task by George Bailey and Steven Smith, who both hit centuries.
However, there was some good news for the Indians with debutant pacer Barinder Sran picking three wickets to put his hat in the ring for a permanent berth.