India vs New Zealand: Ishant likely to miss Christchurch Test due to ankle injury
New Delhi, Feb 28 (HS): India’s premier fast bowler Ishant Sharma is likely to miss the second test match against New Zealand, going to take place at the Hugley Oval on Saturday.
Ishant didn’t bowl in the nets on Friday’s practice session due to recurrence of pain in the same ankle where he sustained injuries last month while playing for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match.
If it is confirmed that Ishant was not playing then it would be a huge loss to the Indian team because he was the pickoff the bowlers in the last match, taking five wickets in the first inning. Though India lost the test match by 10 wickets but Ishant gave a chance to fight and made a comeback.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to confirm Ishant’s absence from the squad for the second Test, but if they confirmed, Umesh Yadav would be the first choice to replace Ishant in second test.
Ishant had suffered the injury during Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha in January. Ishant twisted his ankle while back pedaling and was seen groaning in pain after that.
India trailing 1-0 in the two match series after loosing the first test at Wellington and now they are looking forward to win the second match and level the series 1-1.
