"Ishant needs to balance workload"

The ongoing India-Sri Lanka Test series is a golden opportunity for Ishant Sharma to regain his form, said Javagal Srinath.

"At the age of 20-21, the more you bowl the better you get. But somewhere down the line one needs to strike a balance," Srinath told reporters.

"And this is where he requires sports science. I feel with time Ishant will also learn the importance of that."

Ishant has not been the same bowler he looked like in Australia last year but Srinath still sounded impressed by the youngster.

"Ishant is playing quite a few Twenty20 and ODIs and on such flat wickets any bowler is bound to go for runs. But he has wonderful potential. He has set very high standards for himself.

"The Test series against Sri Lanka is a great platform for Ishant to hit the line and length. It is a great opportunity to experiment and get back his rhythm," added Srinath.

According to him, the game was evolving and bowlers were getting more and more cornered.

"Cricket is now evolving. With the advent of Twenty20, it is attracting more fans. All forms of the game is a challenge for a player but the bowlers are always in the back foot in ODIs and Twenty20.

"(However), we are reading too much into Ishant. We need to leave him alone and ensure that we are not putting too much pressure on him," he said.

Srinath, meanwhile, welcomed S Sreesanth's return to the Indian team but warned the temperamental pacer to mend his on-field behaviour.

"Sreesanth will be interesting to look out for. His inclusion is a good sign for the team and good for him too," he said.

"He is a good bowler but he should ensure that he keeps his mind right. If he does so it will be a value addition to the Indian bowling department," added Srinath.

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"Ishant is still a strike bowler"

Former spearhead Javagal Srinath said young pacer Ishant Sharma should be the strike bowler for India with Ashish Nehra.

Srinath said in the absence of injured frontline speedster Zaheer Khan, Ishant should be the strike bowler.

Brushing aside concerns that the gangling Delhi pacer was not in his elements, Srinath said, "Ishant is still a strike bowler. Ashish (Nehra) and Ishant should lead as strike bowlers in the absence of Zaheer. Ishant has good attitude and fitness."
"Nehra is a good replacement for Zaheer"

Sharma, who has taken 52 wickets in 18 Tests and 42 wickets in 30 ODIs, has grabbed only five wickts while conceding 210 runs in the last five ODIs that he played in New Zealand and West Indies.

In three Tests this year in New Zealand the 21-year-old bowler claimed eight wickets while giving away 334 runs.

Srinath, who was in Mumbai to conduct a two-day seminar for domestic match referees ahead of the season, also said the other Delhi pacer, 30-year-old Nehra, was a good substitute for Zaheer who is unavailable till the end of the year.

"Nehra is a good replacement for Zaheer," said the Bangalore stalwart who is on the seven-man ICC match referees panel.

Srinath said the absence of injured regular openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir would lead to changes in the top order.

"Gautam and Viru are pivotal. Their absence will bring in lot of changes at the top and somebody should step and face the challenge," he said.

Sehwag is out of action since May following a shoulder injury that needed surgery and is set to make his comeback in the Champions T20 League next month for Delhi Daredevils.

In-form Gambhir, set to partner Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the order in Sri Lanka, had to return on Thursday from the island nation after he was found to be unfit because of a groin injury. He has been advised rest for ten days.
Another Delhi player, flamboyant rookie Virat Kohli, has been sent as Gambhir's replacement.

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