Ishant hurts ankle, doubtful for NZ Tests

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 20

Indian pacer Ishant Sharma is a major doubt for the New Zealand tour after he hurt his ankle in the Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here today.

Ishant twisted his ankle while going for an appeal in Vidarbha’s second innings. He had to be assisted off the ground by the support staff. While the Delhi team management made it clear that Ishant will not take the field again, the 31-year-old spearhead was immediately sent for MRI scan, the result of which is awaited.

“His ankle is badly swollen and it is looking very bad at the moment,” said a member of the Delhi staff. “We will not risk him in the match again. Let’s hope it is not a fracture,” he added.

Ishant, who was captaining the Delhi team against the two-time defending champions, went for a leg-before appeal against Vidarbha skipper Faiz Fazal and twisted his ankle.

The Delhi official added that Ishant may have to spend some time at the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru, before getting the all-clear to play again.

Ishant was likely to spearhead the Indian pace attack in the two-Test series against New Zealand, to be played in February-March.

He suffered a minor calf-strain as he pulled his hamstring in the last Test series against Bangladesh.

“A real picture about his availability or the extent of his injury will emerge once we get the scan report. We are hoping it is not a major injury,” said another official.

Delhi in dire straits

Meanwhile, Delhi are staring at a big defeat against the two-time defending champions as they were bundled out for 163 runs. Aditya Thakare posted career-best figures of 7/55 to deny the hosts an opportunity to surpass Vidarbha’s first innings total of 179.

Brief scores: Vidarbha: 179 and 35/0 in 10 overs; Delhi: 169 all out in 53.1 overs (A Rawat 37; A Thakare 7/55)