Ishant Sharma has passed a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is all geared up to fly to New Zealand, where he will join the team ahead of the first Test that begins from February 21. The pacer took to Twitter to thank the NCA head Ashish Kaushik for his help during his rehab, and spoke about his excitement at being declared fit.
“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,” Ishant Sharma tweeted on Saturday.
A BCCI source confirmed the news and added that Sharma will fly down to New Zealand at the earliest. “Yes, he has passed the fitness test and will join the Indian team for the Test series in New Zealand,” sources said.
The 31-year old had suffered a Grade 3 tear on his right ankle while playing in a Ranji Trophy encounter for New Delhi against Vidarbha at the Arun Jaitley Stadium last month. He had picked up the injury in the fifth over of Vidarbha’s second innings, and had to be taken off the ground immediately. He had picked up 3 for 45 in the first innings.
After Sharma had undergone scans in January, the DDCA director Sanjay Bhardwaj had stated that chances of the lanky pacer playing in New Zealand were next to none. “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,” the former cricketer had said.
The Indian team is currently taking part in a three-day warm-up game against New Zealand XI at Hamilton.