Paceman Ishant Sharma will not join India squad in SA

Updated at 10.35 pm

NEW DELHI: Uncapped paceman Ishant Sharma who had been initially told to join the Indian cricket team for the third and final Test in South Africa, will not do so, an official announced here on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Sharma has bagged 19 wickets in four Ranji Trophy matches in his maiden first-class season.

Indian cricket board official Ratnakar Shetty had said Sharma had been told to leave for South Africa on December 31.

The lanky bowler is being sent to reinforce India's fast bowling resources following the return home of out-of-form Irfan Pathan and fitness worries over Munaf Patel.

Patel could not play in the first two Tests of the three-match series due to an ankle injury.

The third Test begins in Cape Town on January 2.