Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma's participation in next month's Test series against New Zealand is in doubt.
Sharma injured an ankle during Delhi's recent Ranji Trophy fixture against Vidarbha at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
The 31-year-old Sharma has played 96 Tests since debuting in 2007. He has taken 292 wickets at an average of 32.68.
India and New Zealand will play two Tests in Wellington and Christchurch in late February 2020.
Ishant in county cricket
The tall-right-arm seamer benefitted from the tutelage of former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie during a stint with Sussex in English county cricket a couple of years ago. Gillespie was Sussex's head coach at the time.
“A lot of people would tell me that I need to increase the pace of my fuller deliveries. No one told me how to do that? It was when I went to play county cricket, Jason gave me the solution,” Ishant told Sportstar.
“Gillespie told me that in order to increase pace in fuller deliveries, you don't just release it but hit the deck so that it should target the knee roll.
“The problem in India is that everybody tells you about the problem but no-one tells you the solution. Now knowing the solution is an important aspect.
“I have realised that may be one or two people worked on the solutions. Problems, everyone can tell you but one who is a good coach will tell you about solutions.”
Sharma in IPL
Sharma will play for the Delhi Capitals in the 2020 Indian Premier League. The Capitals (previously called the Delhi Daredevils) have never won the IPL. He has previously played for the Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rising Pune Supergiants and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sharma has taken 71 wickets in 89 IPL matches.
He is also in contention for a berth in India's squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. India won the inaugural World Twenty20 (since renamed T20 World Cup) in South Africa in 2007. They beat Pakistan in that final.
India have been pooled with England, South Africa, Afghanistan and two qualifying teams for the 2020 T20 World Cup. India will host the T20 World Cup in 2021.
