IND vs SL: Ishant Sharma reveals illness during first Test at Cape Town

Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma, India's seniormost fast bowler, revealed yesterday that he was all set to play the first Test in Cape Town, as per the team management's thinking, but only missed out because he was not a 100% come game day. "I was supposed to play the first Test but I fell ill as soon as we reached here so I hadn't fully recovered from the fever so I didn't play the first game," said Ishant after the second day's play. This was an unusual revelation, for neither the team management nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had said anything about Ishant being ill.

Only a day before, the management informed the media, and the world at large, that Mohammed Shami was off the field because of a "mild headache." When that kind of information comes voluntarily, the non-selection of a senior player because of illness should also be disclosed, in the normal course. Ishant, came to the defence of Shami, who has been well below his best in the Test: "Even bowlers are human beings - not a bowling machine that we can get wickets straightaway." He added: "The game was opening up a bit because of runs, so my effort was to keep bowling in good areas."

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