Why is Ishant Sharma not playing today’s 1st Test between England and India at Trent Bridge?

Ishant Sharma not playing: The Indian fast bowler is among the three players who have been excluded from the Playing XI for the first Test.

During the first day of the first Test of the ongoing India’s tour of England in Nottingham, England captain Joe Root has won the toss and chose to bat.

“We’re going to bat first. It looks like a reasonable wicket, a little bit of movement. If we get off to a good start in the first hour, we could capitalize. Always exciting to play a big series like this. And hopefully we could perform really well.

“As you progress as a Test player, there comes the responsibility and there is an opportunity for the guys to take what Ben Stokes has left in his absence,” Root told Sky Sports at the toss.

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Opting for a four-member pace attack, England have dropped spinner Jack Leach as James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Sam Curran and Craig Overton have been included as specialist pacers. As was the case during England’s tour of India earlier this year, expect Root to contribute in the bowling department.

Why is Ishant Sharma not playing today’s 1st Test between England and India?

Much like Root, India captain Virat Kohli also wanted to bat first but losing the toss on yet another occasion left him with no option. “Last time England chose to bowl first here, and we would have wanted to bat first as well. We would look to get in with the ball in the first session, and a few early breakthroughs will be handy.

“The opportunity to win in England and Australia in the same year is rare. To get opportunities in such times to play and play in front of crowds as well, we are grateful,” Kohli told Sky Sports at the toss.

Talking about the three changes which India have made from the Playing XI which played the ICC World Test Championship final in June, batsman Lokesh Rahul and fast bowlers Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj have replaced the likes of Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma.

Sharma, who has been India’s primary choice among pacers in the recent years, is reportedly suffering a niggle and wasn’t risked in the first match due to the same reason. However, nor there has been any official confirmation with respect to the 32-year old player neither Kohli was asked about his absence at the toss.