India’s Test team premier pacer Ishant Sharma is working overtime to recover from injury — and be perfectly fit for the crucial Test series against Australia scheduled to begin in December. The veteran speedster had resurfaced with an injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 while playing for Delhi Capitals. He had to return to India in the mid of the tournament because of a left internal oblique muscle tear.
As per ANI, a source informed that National Cricket Academy (NCA) head, Rahul Dravid, has informed the BCCI that Ishant Sharma is closely working for his recovery with Paras Mhambrey — the head coach of the U-19 national team and also a pace bowler during his playing days.
“As NCA head, Dravid has informed the board that Ishant is working with Mhambrey to be fit in time for the Test matches. Ishant will definitely have a big role to play and his presence will not just give India another strike bowler, but also his experience will bring a lot to the table in Kohli’s absence,” the source said.
NCA to ensure Ishant Sharma is fit:
Ishant Sharma’s injury saga began while playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in January 2020. He suffered a Grade 3 tear on his right ankle and was expected to miss the two-match Test series against New Zealand in February. But NCA claimed that the pacer was fit.
However, after featuring in the first test matches, he has ruled out ahead of the second test because he resurfaced with the ankle injury during the practice session. As a result, he had to return to NCA for recovery, and the COVID-19 hiatus gave him more time to be fully fit.
However, the fast bowler could not play the full IPL because of the injury. But amid all this, NCA was highly criticized for the injury management of a prominent player.
And now, as other important Test series are lined, NCA would like to send Ishant Sharma as a fully fit player.