Didn't want to let India down by playing World Cup with an injury: Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma has said that had he played the upcoming 2015 Cricket World despite not being 100% fit, he would've never been forgiven by the Indian public back home. The 26-year-old was one of the four players to take a fitness test on Saturday and while the other three - Rohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja - came through satisfactorily, Ishant couldn't do so and was, thereby, ruled out of the quadrennial event.

“The public would never have forgiven me for playing with an injury. I tried my best to get fit but I just couldn't make it,” Ishant told Mid-Day.

"I was to undergo a fitness test (on Saturday) but I knew it would be a futile exercise. I would not have been able to deliver. I had to take a call,” he added.

Ishant, who wasn’t a part of India’s successful campaign at home in 2011, was expected to be one of the key members of the Indian bowling attack in the World Cup. But the lanky fast bowler knew that he couldn’t give his 100% and didn't want to let down his country.

Mohit is a good replacement: Ishant

"Everyone wants to play in a World Cup, but I didn't want to let down my country. I tried my very best but I realised I wouldn't have been 100 per cent fit,” the right-arm pacer said.

Talking about Mohit Sharma, who has replaced Ishant in the World Cup squad, the Delhi pacer said that the former is capable enough of filling in for him.

"My good wishes to the team… especially Mohit. He's a good bowler and I am sure he will perform well for India,” he said.

MS Dhoni’s men begin their World Cup defence on Sunday against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, before which they will play the second of their two warm-up matches, against Afghanistan at the same venue on Tuesday.