Sreesanth could replace Agarkar

India are hoping the ICC will give them permission to bring Sreesanth into their squad to replace the injured Ajit Agarkar.

Agarkar, who bowled the final over in yesterday’s defeat for India, has sustained a hairline fracture of his left thumb. The injury was most likely gained when Agarkar attempted to stop a powerfully hit drive from Runako Morton. Munaf Patel is also struggling with a wrist sprain and RP Singh is in poor form so India have a big problem with their pace bowlers.

The decision of whether or not to allow Sreesanth to join the squad will be made by the ICC’s Technical Commitee. The regulations state that if a player has a recent history of injuries he cannot be replaced, but if an injury is unforseen a player can be replaced. Agarkar’s injury should fall into the latter, meaning India will be able to field Sreesanth in what is effectively a quarter final against Australia on Sunday.

For many, Sreesanth’s omission from the squad for the tournament came as a surprise, he has looked a promising young bowler and has taken 19 wickets at an average of 34.38 in his ODI career so far.