India vs England: Sourav Ganguly wants Ishant Sharma to replace Umesh Yadav for Vizag Test

New Delhi: Indian bowlers weren't quite up to the mark against England in 1st Test at Rajkot. Though much was expected from the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja, seamers too didn't lift their game seeing the slow bowlers struggle on that surface.

With Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya available, coach Anil Kumble and captain Virat Kohli will be contemplating on whom to pick for the 2nd Test in Vizag.

If the suggestion from one of India's finest captains ever is to be considered, then Kumble should include Ishant Sharma in place of Umesh Yadav for the next match and keep rest of the squad as it was.

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In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Ganguly commented on the squad for Vizag Test stating, “I think same eleven. Maybe they could bring in Ishant Sharma in place of Umesh Yadav. Umesh Yadav has not been picking the wickets. He promised a lot but does not do the job. So I think it should it Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma.”

Ganguly also pointed out that England have too many left-handed batsmen in their squad which is a major reason behind his preference for Ishant.

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“There are a lot of left-handers in this England team and Ishant Sharma will be able to take the ball away from the left-handers. Also, his last trip in England when he picked up 7 wickets at Lords and India won the Test match and Ishant played a crucial role. So I think Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami would be my two fast bowlers provided Mohammad Shami is fit. He had a hamstring niggle throughout the Test match. So that is an area the team needs to look at,” added Sourav.

It remains to be seen what will be India's bowling combination in second Test, and if Ishant Sharma is included in the final XI.