Hamstring injury puts Ishant out of ODI contention

Whatever chance Ishant Sharma might have had of an ODI return - and there were reports that the selectors are thinking of him for the last two matches against South Africa - is gone after a hamstring injury kept him off the field during the third day of the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Haryana at Feroz Shah Kotla.

Ishant felt his left hamstring was a little tight during his last spell on the second evening and on the third morning he pulled out during the pre-game warm-ups. An MRI scan is yet to be done, but Pradeep Sangwan, fellow fast bowler in Delhi, said the physio's initial assignment advised that Ishant takes three-four days' rest, which could rule him out of playing his third straight Ranji Trophy game - Delhi v Bengal on Thursday.

The national selectors will meet on Monday to select the team for the last two ODIs and the first two Tests against South Africa. Vikram Rathore, the national selector present at Feroz Shah Kotla, was seen making two trips to the Delhi camp, one before the start of play and another in the first session. What the selectors have in mind now will be known only on Monday, but Ishant seems to be out of the reckoning for India's ODIs and Delhi's next Ranji game.

Ishant was supposed to miss the first Test against South Africa anyway because of an ICC ban for a second breach of ICC Code of Conduct in Sri Lanka. The second Test, to be played in Bangalore, begins on November 14. India should pick Ishant, but they will be interested in the findings of the MRI scan, if and when it is done.

Ishant had earlier been involved in a mini controversy, choosing to rest for the first Ranji match of the season but without informing the Delhi administration beforehand. The Delhi selectors, claiming they couldn't get in touch with Ishant, went ahead and named a squad without Ishant. He has played two back-to-back first-class matches since then.

While there is time to go for the Tests, India will be a little wary with their two best bowlers in Sri Lanka - Ishant and R Ashwin - both injured right right now. Ashwin couldn't finish the first ODI, played in Kanpur, after a side strain forced him off the field.