The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has put the ball in BCCI’s court in the matter involving the fitness of India pacer Ishant Sharma. The Indian team is set to travel to Australia next month and there is uncertainty over Sharma’s availability as the Delhi Capitals bowler sustained an abdominal muscle tear in IPL 2020.
The support staff at the NCA have carried out a clinical assessment report and informed the BCCI that Sharma will need recovery time until November 18 to regain full fitness. The 32-year-old will then undergo a three to four week training period before rolling his arm at the international circuit.
The NCA led by Rahul Dravid has also recommended that the bowler should ideally play one or two warm-up games before getting drafted into the playing eleven.
“Suppose the Test series is beginning earlier than December 17, let’s say the first week of December – Who knows? The schedule is not out yet – then Sharma won’t even be available. Are the BCCI and the selectors willing to take that risk? Is the NCA guaranteeing that Sharma will not suffer a break-down again?” sources told The Times of India (TOI).
Furthermore, sources also stated that an ‘overweight’ Rishabh Pant is a concern as he is not fully fit yet. It was earlier reported that due to Covid-19 protocols, India won’t opt for replacements once the side leaves for Australia.
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