Ishant Sharma receives informal warning during Ranji game

Pacer Ishant Sharma, who missed the New Zealand Tests due to Chikungunya, recently made a comeback on the field playing for Delhi against Karnataka in Round 3 of the Ranji Trophy game played at Eden Gardens. It was Ishant's first competitive game since August, but it didn’t turn out to be an ideal return for the Delhi-pacer with his side losing the match by an innings margin, and Ishant receiving a warning by the match-referee.

Ishant has been issued the warning by the match referee because he came out to bowl for Delhi wearing India's national jersey. According to the latest regulations by the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), no player is allowed to wear any of the national team kits while playing in the domestic matches. The player will have to wear the outfit provided by his state or zone during these games.

According to a report on cricwizz.com, Pranab Roy, the match referee of the Delhi-Karnataka encounter, sent an informal message to Ishant asking him to not repeat the mistake.

With the team selection for the Test series against England due in a few days, this was the last opportunity for Ishant to impress the selectors. Infact, selector Devang Gandhi was present at the Eden Gardens specifically to assess the performances of Ishant and Gautam Gambhir.

While Gambhir failed in both innings, getting out cheaply on 0 and 2, even Ishant struggled to pose any threat to the Karnataka batsmen, taking only one wicket in the 21 overs he bowled.

Batting first, Delhi were bundled out for 90 in their first innings, with left-arm pacer Sreenath Arvind and right-arm spinner, Krishnappa Gowtham, picking three and four wickets respectively.

Karnataka, in their reply, did not look in any trouble, and scored a massive 414 in their first innings. Karun Nair, Ravikumar Samarth, and Mayank Aggarwal scored fifties for Karnataka, while left-arm orthodox, Varun Sood took four wickets for Delhi. Ishant Sharma, who took the new ball for Delhi, bowled in spells of two or three overs but did not pose much threat to the Karnataka batsmen.

In their second innings, Delhi found themselves wanting once again against the off-spin of Krishnappa Gowtham, who took five-for and a total of 8 wickets in the match. Delhi got all out for 164, handing Karnataka a victory by an innings and 160 runs.

Ishant will mostly be selected for the home Tests against England, but his lacklustre show in this comeback game leaves a lot to be desired and Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble would hope the 28-year-old pacer gets back in form before the first Test against England which is to be played at Rajkot.