Ishant Sharma clears fitness Test, set to join India squad in Wellington
Ishant, 31, had suffered an ankle injury during a Ranji Trophy clash between Delhi and Vidarbha last month, but was provisionally named in the Indian squad for the two-Test series in New Zealand, despite being advised up to six weeks of rest.
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
However, after rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy, he has now been cleared to play. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Ishant will fly out on Sunday to join the squad in Wellington, and will join Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini among the speedsters in the squad.
Ishant has become a valuable member of the Indian attack in this stage of his career, and is closing in on 100 Test appearances – a feat he could reach when India tour Australia later this year for a four-Test series.