Pace sensation Ishant Sharma on Wednesday refused to follow the advice of former Australian coach John Buchanan that he needed to "build muscles" so that his wiry frame could sustain pressures of international cricket.
"I don't think I need to build strong muscles. I feel I am completely fit," Sharma said on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi.
Buchanan, who will coach Sharma in the Kolkata IPL team, had said that the gangling bowler should concentrate on building muscles to withstand the vigours and pressure of excessive bowling.
The towering bowler also declared himself fit for the South African series, saying he had recovered from his finger injury, which prevented him playing in the second final of the CB tri-series in Australia.
"I am fit now," he said replying to a query on his recovery from injury but refused to elaborate because of BCCI's gag order.
However, his coach Shravan Kumar confidently declared that the young pacer was fit to play in the upcoming South African Test series.
"He has recovered from his injury and we hope that he will play Test series against South Africa. Though he has to undergo a fitness test and final decision (on his fitness) will be taken only after that," Kumar said.
Selectors will meet in Bangalore on March 17 to pick the team for the first Test match, beginning in Chennai on March 26.
