The Indian cricket team will not seek a cover for injured pacer Ishant Sharma as he is expected to be fit for the opening Test against Australia next week even though he has been ruled out of a three-day practice match starting here on Monday.
"The doctor has advised him rest till Monday. So we would have a fresh look at him on Tuesday. But the work on him is going on and he's improving," stated media manager G. S. Walia here this morning.
Ishant is recovering from injury in his left ankle which forced him to leave the field after bowling only 5.3 overs against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI here on Thursday.
While the team management sounds optimistic on Ishant, it's certain he wouldn't be turning out for the three-day game against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI.
The lanky fast bowler did come with the rest of his teammates to Manuka Oval this morning but spent the entire duration either strolling at the ground or turning his arm over from a stationery position at the nets.
While words are on offer to ease the doubts on Ishant Sharma, the sight of Zaheer Khan is certainly uplifting for the Indian team.
The left-arm paceman was all too eager to measure and bowl for close to half an hour over two spells during the intense practice session. For a long time, he kept testing the skills of Virender Sehwag.