Ishant Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been ruled out of the Test and limited overs series, respectively, against New Zealand because of injuries. While Ishant has suffered a grade-three tear in his ankle during a Ranji Trophy match at the Kotla, Dhawan sustained a shoulder injury while fielding in the final ODI against Australia in Bangalore.
“An MRI of his (Dhawan) shoulder was conducted, and the results have confirmed a grade II injury of his acromio-clavicular joint. His hand will be in a sling and he has been advised rest for some time.
“He will start his active rehab management in the first week of February at the National Cricket Academy (NCA),” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.
Prithvi Shaw could make his ODI debut in New Zealand after he was named as the replacement for the three-match series, starting February 5. For the five-match T20I series, beginning Friday, Sanju Samson will come in.
Ishant Sharma, playing for Delhi, had twisted his ankle on his follow through while bowling against Vidarbha on Monday. File picture
According to sources, Shaw was preferred by the team management since he could perform the role of an opener, if needed. Ajinkya Rahane was in the mix especially after India’s debacle in the opening ODI versus Australia but Shreyas Iyer sealed the No.4 berth with a convincing performance in Bangalore.
That it would be awkward to bench a senior like Rahane, if picked in the squad, also worked against his selection.
Shaw is already in New Zealand with the India A squad. The 20-year old opener struck a 150 against New Zealand A in a warm-up game on Sunday. For the record, Shaw had led India to U-19 World Cup triumph in New Zealand in 2017.
Like Shaw, Sanju Samson too is already in New Zealand with the India A squad.
As for Ishant, the BCCI is still taking a wait and watch policy. But things aren’t looking too good.
“Ishant’s MRI report shows a grade-three ankle tear and it is serious. He has been advised six weeks of rest and rehabilitation,” a Delhi and Districts Cricket Association official said.
Ishant, playing for Delhi, had twisted his ankle on his follow through while bowling against Vidarbha on Monday.
The Telegraph
The Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to start on February 21, in Wellington while the practice game they play ahead of it starts on February 14.
The BCCI will make its own assessment at the NCA in Bangalore before an official announcement is made.
According to reports, Ishant was seen limping when he arrived at the Kotla on Tuesday. He soon left the ground.
His Vidarbha opponent Umesh Yadav is likely to be the third quick in the Tests in New Zealand.
Navdeep Saini is expected to be the back-up fast bowler should Ishant be unavailable for the Test series. The 31-year-old and 96 Test veteran is an integral part of arguably India’s best-ever pace attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh.
