Injured fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who returned from UAE in midst of the ongoing IPL 2020 after suffering a muscle tear while playing for Delhi Capitals and is currently rehabbing at the NCA in Bengaluru, might get fit in time for the Adelaide Test between India and Australia later this year.

As per reports from ESPNCricinfo, NCA, headed by Rahul Dravid, noted in a letter to the BCCI that Sharma, subject to his rehab going well, is expected to start bowling from November 18.

Sharma is expected to then gradually increase his workload, with the NCA optimistic that he would be match fit for the Day-Night Test in Adelaide, scheduled to begin on December 17. The NCA, however, has pointed out that Sharma would need to play at least one practice match before he is declared ready to bowl in the Tests.

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India’s tour to Australia will begin from November 26 and will comprise of three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Tests. A formal itinerary has not been announced but as per the schedule submitted by Cricket Australia to the BCCI, the tour will end on January 19.

Both the selectors and the Indian team management would want Sharma to travel to Australia, two years after India became the first Asian country to win a Test series in the country. This is the second injury Sharma has suffered in 2020, having missed the second Test against New Zealand back in February due to an ankle injury.

Ishant is currently the most experienced fast bowler in the Indian contingent and is three matches short of becoming only the second Indian fast bowler to play 100 Test matches, after Kapil Dev.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)