‘Retirement ka time aa gaya’ – Fans react as Ishant Sharma set to make his commentary debut for West Indies vs India series

Veteran Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma is all set to make his commentary debut in the upcoming Test series between India and West Indies. The first Test will be played in Dominica starting on July 12th. Notably, Ishant has not been included in the Test squad against the Windies, now he has been switched to the commentary from the Test whites.

The Test series will mark the beginning of the World Test Championship cycle 2023-25 for both nations. The finalists of the previous two editions, India will be looking to begin their campaign with a win and aim for their third consecutive WTC final.

Talking about both teams, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been ruled out of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series. Skipper Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the Indian team, while Ajinkya Rahane has been given the role back as vice-captain. Skipper Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the Indian team in the longest format putting a full stop to all the rumours about his future as Test captain. While Ajinkya Rahane has been given the role back as vice-captain.

Rahkeem Cornwall returns to Test squad

Meanwhile, Spin-bowling all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican made their return as West Indies announced their 13-man squad for the first Test. Warrican has returned to the squad after Lead spinner Gudakesh Motie’s injury. Motie had last toured Zimbabwe but missed the South Africa tour earlier this year. Cornwall, who made his Test debut against India back in 2019, hasn’t been featured in red-ball cricket for West Indies since November 2021.

Here are the squads of both the teams for the Test series:
India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.

West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.

Here is how fans reacted to Ishant Sharma appearing for commentary:

I dont like trend in indian cricket broadcasting. Most of ex cricketers who have already made good money playing cricket are taking broadcasting jobs of passionate & well orated cricket commentators. Even when these ex cricketers cant even put up simple sentences on mic.

— Sidd Bhardwaj (@_siddbhardwaj) July 9, 2023

Ishant sharma in commentary pic.twitter.com/TvxWhUUa1u

— Ashmit choudhary (@wtfashmit) July 9, 2023

New career opportunities for lambu. Phir coaching karega ipl me….phir selector banjaayega…phir politics me chala jaayega…CAREER SETTLED.

— satendra panigrahi (@sabkopelunga) July 9, 2023

New career opportunities for lambu. Phir coaching karega ipl me….phir selector banjaayega…phir politics me chala jaayega…CAREER SETTLED.

— satendra panigrahi (@sabkopelunga) July 9, 2023

If he was selected he has still that potential to take wickets. But indian cricket is facing selector crisis

— kinda_human (@humourologist_m) July 9, 2023

Feeling sad for Ishant bhai💔

— G` (@TheRGautam18) July 9, 2023

Ishant sharma commentary for you.😂 pic.twitter.com/MoYpghqxk1

— अर्जुन पंडित। (@PanditArjun98) July 9, 2023

we all know what he will say when west indies will have a good partnership..acchi bhali bowling ki…

— Amol Jain 🇮🇳💙 (@AmolJain2308) July 9, 2023

Hope he doesn't become another Aakash chopra or sanjay manjrekar👍😂 All the best bhai @ImIshant

— amrith (@amrithdhoni) July 9, 2023

We failed him pic.twitter.com/YpB7DQzWwl

— अकल Ball (@ananditgaurav) July 9, 2023