The Indian team eyeing to drew the two-match series against New Zealand in Christchurch after losing the first Test in Wellington by ten wickets. However, India’s hopes suffered a massive blow as the veteran fast bowler, Ishant Sharma, who took a 5-fer in the first Test, has been ruled out of the match due to the recurrence of an ankle injury.
According to the recent reports of Cricbuzz, it’s the same ankle which of which Ishant missed the action for a month ahead of being declared fit for the Kiwi tour. As Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami failed to come out all guns blazing in the first Test against the Kiwis in Wellington, Ishant’s 5-fer was the only positive for Virat Kohli and his men.
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On Thursday, Ishant did sufficient practice as he bowled for about 20 minutes in the nets. However, he didn’t come out to bowl in the nets on the eve of the second Test due to some pain in the same ankle. India has two reserve pacers in the form of Navdeep Saini and Umesh Yadav for the second Test. However, considering the experience of Umesh, he can be expected to get the nod over Saini.
Umesh was seen having a conversation with head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun during the net session on Friday. While he has been one of the most successful bowlers for India in Test cricket in home condition, it is to be noted that he last played a Test away from home back in December 2018 against Australia at Perth.
In the last home season, the Indian fast bowler went on scalp 23 wickets in 4 Tests to his name at an outstanding average of 13.65. Despite possessing the ability to deliver balls at high speeds, he hasn’t had a fruitful outing away from home with just 46 wickets in 17 Tests to his name at an average of 42.19.
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With Bumrah going through a lean patch and Shami not looking at his best, Ishant’s absence is genuinely set to test the Indian team’s credentials against the dominant hosts.
