Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has passed his fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and has been given the nod to join the national team in New Zealand for the upcoming two match Test series, much to the relief of skipper Virat Kohli and head-coach Ravi Shastri. On Saturday, India’s senior fast bowler thanked the NCA and their head Ashish Kaushik for his help during his rehab via social media while the Men in Blues look poised to test the Kiwis after their dismal performance in the recently concluded ODI series.
“It was a roller coaster ride for me after the injury on my ankle on the 20th January but with the help of Ashish Kaushik I managed to pull it off! Scans were a little scary, but today I am happy that I am fit ! Thanks Ashish Kaushik! #recoverymode #recovery #postinjury,” Sharma tweeted.
It was a roller coaster ride for me after the injury on my ankle on the 20th January but with the help of Ashish Kaushik I managed to pull it off! Scans were a little scary, but today I am happy that I am fit ! 🏏 Thanks Ashish Kaushik! #recoverymode #recovery #postinjury pic.twitter.com/xwNpecc0Iz
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) February 15, 2020
The lanky pacer suffered a Grade 3 tear on his right ankle during a match between Delhi and Vidarbha at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in a Ranji Trophy game last month as medical tests confirmed that the fast bowler was out of the Test series against New Zealand and had been advised for six weeks of rest.
“He has been advised complete rest for six weeks, so there is little chance of him playing the Test series against New Zealand next month. When he goes to the National Cricket Academy will depend on his getting into a position where he can walk properly,” DDCA director Sanjay Bhardwaj said after Ishant’s injury.
The first match of the two Tests is scheduled to be played from February 21 to 25 at Wellington, while the second will start from February 29 to March 4 at Christchurch. The Indian team meanwhile, are currently playing a three-day warm-up game against New Zealand XI in Hamilton.
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