New Zealand vs India 2020: Ishant Sharma To Undergo Fitness Test This Week - Reports

As the Indian team prepares itself for the Test challenge against the Kiwis, fast bowler Ishant Sharma will appear for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore by February 15, as per the recent report. Ishant suffered a ligament injury on his right ankle during a Ranji Trophy game against Vidarbha on January 21. Ishant was initially selected for the tour but his injury ensured that he could not fly with the Indian side.

The first Test of the two-match series will begin from February 21. However, if Ishant passes the fitness Test, he can take the flight to New Zealand for his appearance in impending Test series

India are currently in need of a fast bowler as the ODIs were a humiliation for them after the Kiwis clean-swept them 3-0. Indian bowlers looked pretty ordinary and India’s most deadly bowler Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless throughout the series for the first time in his ODI career.

This goes on to show the dismal state of Indian bowling currently.

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Ishant Sharma To Undergo Fitness Test by February 14-15:

“Ishant is scheduled to take a fitness test on Feb 14-15. A call on him will be taken after that,” Indian team management sources told TOI on Tuesday.

“There are two ways of determining fitness: one is clinical fitness and the other is match fitness. In the clinical test, the player is made to go through all the physical tests like running and agility. But match fitness depends on how rusty the player is. Ishant is working very hard and is determined to reach the 100-Test mark as soon as possible,” added the source.

The lanky pacer Sharma has been one of the most improved fast bowlers for India in recent times. He has had a prolific Test career so far and is one of the most successful Test bowlers for India.

The prominent paceman has snared a total of 292 wickets in 96 Test games that he has played for India. His career-best figure is against England wherein he clinched seven wickets for 74 runs. He has 10 five-wicket hauls to his name in Test cricket.

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