IPL 2021: Ishant Sharma has heel niggle, says coach Ricky Ponting after DC lose to RR

Mumbai: Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has revealed that experienced fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who missed his team’s first two IPL matches, is suffering from a heel niggle. The 32-year-old, who was retained by Delhi ahead of the IPL auction, missed the games against Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, which paved the way for 24-year-old pacer Avesh Khan’s selection in the team. “Coming into the first game, Ishant Sharma obviously had a heel niggle that we have been trying to work through,” Ponting said during a virtual press conference after DC’s three-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals here on Thursday night. Sharma had suffered an abdominal muscle tear during his only match for DC in the last edition. He was ruled out of the rest of that IPL in UAE and also the ensuing Test series against Australia. After recovering, Sharma made a successful comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, taking five wickets. He also played the four Tests against England, capturing six wickets. With Sharma missing out, Avesh provided Delhi Capitals the early breakthroughs, claiming five wickets in the last two games and Ponting was “ultra” impressed with him. “He has grabbed his opportunities with both hands. He has been around this franchise for a few years now but hasn’t got the opportunities that he has been craving for. “… if you have an Indian fast bowler like him and then you have the likes of (Chris) Woakes, (Anrich) Nortje, (Kagiso) Rabada, and (Tom) Curran and those guys around then we end up with a real strong fast bowling brigade.”