NEW DELHI, Dec 28: Uncapped fast bowler Ishant Sharma will not join the Indian squad for the third and final Test in South Africa, it was announced on Thursday. Indian chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar, currently in South Africa, said in a statement that it had been decided not to summon the paceman for the final Test of the ongoing three-match series.

“Initially, he was being considered to be drafted into the Indian squad,” he said. “However, considering his domestic schedule, it has now been decided not to have him fly down to Cape Town and instead allow him to concentrate on domestic first-class matches.”

The final Test begins in Cape Town on Jan 2.

The 18-year-old Sharma was asked on Wednesday to join the squad following the return home of out-of-form fast bowler Irfan Pathan and fitness worries over paceman Munaf Patel.

Patel could not play the first two Tests of the series because of an ankle injury.—AFP