Ishant Sharma Starts Bowling, Looks Set To Recover Ahead Of Australia Tests

Ishant Sharma has handed a big boost to Team India ahead of the Test series in Australia. The senior pacer looks set to make it to the series after resuming bowling at full tilt at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The pacer has been at the NCA since being ruled out of the IPL 2020 last month due to an abdominal muscle tear.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the pacer, on Wednesday, bowled two long bowling spells at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. His bowling was being watched by Sunil Joshi, the chairman of selectors, and Rahul Dravid, the NCA chief, among others. The report stated that Ishant Sharma bowled on one of the side pitches at the stadium, first for around 45 minutes during the lunch break of a 50-overs-a-side corporate cricket match and then for around an hour at the end of it.

Following the two spells, Ishant Sharma went through a few basic stretching routines too, and then returned for a short fielding session, alternating between high and flat catches. The lanky pacer will have to pass a fitness test before getting the green light for the tour.

Barring Rohit Sharma, the rest of the Indian team went to Australia last week after the conclusion of IPL. The report further stated that Ishant Sharma did not appear in any discomfort while bowling and looks like to regain his full fitness ahead of the crucial series.

Here is a clip posted by the news outlet showing the pacer’s bowling:

Ishant Sharma bowls at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru as he looks to prove his fitness for India's Test series against Australia. pic.twitter.com/jfwGCY3ag2

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 18, 2020

The four-match Test series between Australia and India is scheduled to start on December 17 in Adelaide. Prior to the Test series, both the teams will play three ODIs and as many T20Is.

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