India vs New Zealand: Ishant Sharma passes fitness test, to join team for Test series, says report

New Delhi: Senior India fast bowler Ishant Sharma on Saturday passed the fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and will now join the team in New Zealand for the two-match Test series starting 21 February. “Yes, he (Ishant) has passed the fitness test and he will join the team in New Zealand,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity. Ishant is expected to fly to Wellington for the first Test. On 21 January, Ishant – four short of becoming only the second Indian fast bowler after Kapil Dev to reach the landmark of 100 Tests – twisted his right ankle while playing for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

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

An official from the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association, based upon an MRI scan, had said that the pacer had suffered a Grade 3 tear in his ankle, and been advised six weeks of rest and rehabilitation. A BCCI source later said that Ishant will again do his MRI to ascertain the degree of tear and decide on his rehabilitation. Ishant was named in the New Zealand Test squad on 4 February subject to fitness clearance. The 31-year-old is an integral part of India’s best-ever pace attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.