'He wasn't in rythm' - Salman Butt wants India to make a change to their playing XI

Ishant Sharma produced a poor performance with the ball in the third Test match against England at Headingley. The veteran right-arm pacer could not scalp a single wicket in the Test match, and also leaked runs at an economy rate in excess of 4 runs per over in the first innings.

And, Salman Butt reckons that Ishant Sharma was not in good rhythm in the third Test match against the England side. Butt also added that Sharma might be experiencing some niggle and might need some time away from cricket.

Admitting that Ishant is a good bowler, the former Pakistan batsman opined that the Indian pacer seemed to be out of touch in the third Test match.

“There might be some niggles or some players might need some free time away from the game and it depends on their mindset. But I feel Ishant Sharma wasn’t in rhythm in Leeds Test, he is a very good bowler, but he seemed to be a bit out of touch in this Test,” said Salman Butt on his YouTube channel.

Either Shardul Thakur or Ravichandran Ashwin can replace Ishant Sharma for the fourth Test: Salman Butt

Salman Butt further added that either senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin or right-arm pacer Shardul Thakur can take Sharma’s place in the Indian side. Butt concluded by stating that the England side likes to face more pacers than spinners, and that is exactly what the Indian side is offering as well.

“Maybe, Shardul Thakur can replace him or if it’s spin conditions, Ashwin can come into the XI. Currently, India are playing with what’s more suitable for the England team, because England loves to play more pacers than spinners,” concluded Salman Butt.

The 4th Test match between England and India will be held at the Kennington Oval in London, with the series intriguingly poised at 1-1. After the first Test match ended in a draw, the Indian side thrashed England by 151 runs in the second Test match. Joe Root’s men stormed right back in the third rubber and hammered the Indian side by an innings and 76 runs.