Ishant Sharma Can be a Liability for Team India, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Ishant Sharma's topsy-turvy international career has reached a pivotal stage. The 26-year-old lanky pacer, who has played Test cricket in Australia on three different tours since 2008, will represent Team India in his first-ever World Cup Down Under in February.

India's inconsistent bowling attack has been the biggest drawback for the team and former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has said that Ishant could be a liability for the defending champions in the showpiece event, starting on February 14.

"Our current new ball bowlers will not be of any use if they don't get you a fifer or three-four wickets because they go for a lot of runs. In such a situation, Ishant can be a liability to the team," Gavaskar said, in a post-match chat.

"When I was asked to name my list of 15 for the World Cup, I picked Mohit Sharma ahead of Ishant because Mohit is a good fielder," he added.

Ishant may not have Gavaskar's vote of confidence but former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram reckons India should stick with Ishant and use him well on wickets in Australia and New Zealand that will be conducive to pacers.

Ishant has missed India's first two matches in the ongoing Tri-Series due to a knee injury. Whether he regains fitness and gets an opportunity to play and prove Gavaskar wrong in the process is yet to be seen but it will have a direct impact on his game during the World Cup.