Ishant to skip Delhi's first two games

Ishant Sharma, the fast bowler who was dropped from India's Asia Cup and World Twenty20 squads, has asked to be rested from Delhi's first two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic one-day competition. Ishant told the team management he was fatigued because of a heavy workload on India's tour of New Zealand.

Delhi's opening game is at home against Jammu & Kashmir on February 27, after which they play Punjab on March 1.

"Ishant has just come back from New Zealand. He has bowled a lot of overs and had asked us for rest," Delhi's chief coach Sanjeev Sharma told PTI. "That's why the team management has decided to give him rest for the first couple of games. That's why he is not even training currently."

Ishant had bowled 105.4 overs in the two Tests in New Zealand, taking 15 wickets at an average of 25. Sharma said Ishant was likely to play Delhi's third game.

"We expect him to play in the match against Himachal Pradesh," he said.