Jharkhand ended the third and penultimate day at 288 for five in 76 overs and, with an overall lead of 315, is all but sure of three points.
However, Ishant will not be available for the tough showdown as he will be in five-day mandatory quarantine.
Siraj, who sustained a hamstring strain while bowling on the first evening of the second Test, managed only 15.5 overs in the two innings and coach Rahul Dravid admitted that his injury did affect the team strategy while defending 240 in the fourth innings.
India are supposed to play three ODIs in South Africa and the biggest question now is whether the country needs two white ball captains which can potentially lead to a clash of ideas.
The BCCI and the team management found an "exit route" which was honourable for both the distinguished senior cricketers as everyone associated wanted to be subtle while taking a tough decision, at least for this Test.
Ravichandran Ashwin remains absent from the India XI in the fourth Test at Oval.
Ishant's figures of 22-0-92-0 were worst among the Indian pacers as England scored 432 runs but more importantly, the veteran looked jaded.
The lanky fast bowler sustained an injury while trying to stop a shot from Ross Taylor in the 45th over of New Zealand's second innings.
The senior pacer sustained the injury while trying to stop a drive off his own bowling in the New Zealand second innings during the World Test Championship Final.
Reaching out to Sonu Sood, an enthusiastic cricket fan, took to Twitter requesting the Bollywood actor to send Kane Williamson back to Pavillion during the World Test Championship final.
Kapil had taken 43 wickets in 13 matches played in England, while Ishant has now taken 44 wickets in the same number of matches.
Ishant Sharma is the most experienced bowler in Team India squad with 43 wickets to his name in England.
The 32-year-old, a veteran of 101 Tests, is expected to lead the Indian bowling attack when the team takes on New Zealand in the marquee clash.
India's wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant slammed an unbeaten century during Team India's intra-squad game for the preparations of the WTC Final against New Zealand.
India will take on New Zealand in the final of the WTC between June 18-22 in Southampton.
Ishant Sharma missed the games against Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, which paved the way for 24-year-old pacer Avesh Khan's selection in the team.
Amit recalled how the two former Ranji and international teammates often enjoyed each other's company.
Delhi Capitals, however, is likely to be without their regular skipper Shreyas Iyer after he was ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against England following a left shoulder dislocation.
On the very first delivery of the 51st over, Ishant hit it over mid-off for a maximum.
Earlier, visitors England chose to bat first after winning the toss at the revamped stadium in Motera.
Top News
Latest News
