Ishant Sharma not included in Delhi Ranji squad

India’s fast-bowling spearhead Ishant Sharma has been left out of the Delhi Ranji squad for the team’s opening game against Rajasthan, starting October 1 for not responding to phone calls and text messages of chief selector Vinay Lamba.

This comes after Ishant Sharma was not selected for the Indian team for limited-overs matches against South Africa, which include three T20 Internationals and five ODIs, starting October 2.

“We tried contacting Ishant but neither did he pick up calls nor replied to our text messages. Also we don’t know whether he can play a first-class match, during the period of his ban. If he is eligible to play we will add him in the squad,” said Lamba.

Other surprising omissions from the squad are those of veteran all-rounder Rajat Bhatia and left-arm spinner Pawan Negi. However, the latter was chosen for the India A side that would play against South Africa on September 29.

This means even less experience for Delhi, which will also be without the services of Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas, who shifted to Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir respectively.

“It is obviously a good feeling to be picked in the India A side. At the same time, a little disappointing I am not in the Delhi Ranji team. Having said that, the team announced is only for the Rajasthan game. Hopefully I will find a place in the team during the season,” said Negi, whose name is in the reserves.

Delhi squad Gautam Gambhir (captain), Unmukt Chand (vice-captain), Vaibhav Rawal, Milind Kumar, Kshitij Rana, Yogesh Nagar, Dhruv Shaurya, Manan Sharma, Pulkit Narang, Mohit Ahlawat (wk), Parvinder Awana, Sumit Narwal, Pradeep Sangwan, Pawan Suyal, Sarang Rawat