Ishant doubtful for New Zealand Test series after sustaining ankle injury

Senior India pacer Ishant Sharma is in doubt for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand after sustaining an ankle tear during a Ranji Trophy game here.

Ishant, playing for Delhi, had twisted his ankle on his follow through while bowling against Vidarbha in a Ranji Trophy game. The Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to start from February 21 in Wellington.
 

"The MRI report has come. Luckily there is no fracture. There is an ankle tear. The moment he is in a position to walk, he will travel to NCA," a senior DDCA official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

While there are reports that Ishant might have had a Grade 3 tear, which can rule him out for more than a month, the BCCI will only confirm it after their own set of tests.

"It's a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in BCCI as we will again do his MRI to ascertain degree of tear and decide on his rehabilitation," a BCCI source said.

The BCCI is hopeful of Ishant getting fit in time for the first Test.

Navdeep Saini will be the replacement if the 96-Test veteran fails to be fit in time.

India tour of New Zealand 2020 full schedule

T20 International Series
Date and Day	Match	venue	Time (IST)
Jan 24, Friday	1st T20	Eden Park, Auckland	12:30 PM
Jan 26, Sunday	2nd T20	Eden Park, Auckland	12:30 PM
Jan 29, Wednesday	3rd T20	Seddon Park, Hamilton	12:30 PM
Jan 31, Friday	4th T20	Westpac Stadium, Wellington	12:30 PM
Feb 02, Sunday	5th T20	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	12:30 PM
One Day International Series
Date and Day	Match	venue	Time (IST)
Feb 05, Wednesday	1st ODI	Seddon Park, Hamilton	7:30 AM
Feb 08, Saturday	2nd ODI	Eden Park, Auckland	7:30 AM
Feb 11, Tuesday	3rd ODI	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	7:30 AM
Test Series
Date and Day	Match	venue	Time (IST)
Feb 21, Fri - Feb 25, Tue	1st Test	Basin Reserve, Wellington	4:00 AM
Feb 29, Sat - Mar 04, Wed	2nd Test	Hagley Oval, Christchurch	4:00 AM