Team India enjoyed the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket for more than three years and the main reason behind their success was the performances of the fast bowling unit.
The pace attack, featuring Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav, did a fantastic job in both home and away conditions.
As India are gearing up to take on Australia in four Tests, they are facing a number of issues, including the injury to lanky pacer Ishant.
See Also: Sanjay Manjrekar says there is “Zero Clarity” on Rohit Sharma’s fitness issue
Notably, Ishant had suffered a rib injury while being part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise in the IPL 2020 last month.
According to a report published in ANI, Ishant is working overtime to be fit in time for the Test matches Down Under.
"As NCA head, Dravid has informed the board that Ishant is working with Mhambrey to be fit in time for the Test matches. Ishant will definitely have a big role to play and his presence will not just give India another strike bowler, but also his experience will bring a lot to the table in Kohli's absence," sources in the know of developments told ANI.
Unfortunately, Ishant's stint at the NCA didn't go as per plan last time around. The pacer sustained a Grade 3 tear on his right ankle while playing for Delhi in their Ranji Trophy encounter against Vidarbha in January 2020.
While it was believed he was out of the New Zealand tour as he was prescribed rest for six weeks by the Delhi physio, he hit the NCA and was passed by the fitness team in Bengaluru to join the Indian squad for the two-Test series, starting February 21.
After featuring in the first Test against New Zealand, Ishant's ankle injury resurfaced and he had to miss the second Test of the series.
The battle for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick-start with the pink-ball affair at the Adelaide Oval on December 17. Melbourne will host the second Test from December 26 while the third and fourth Tests will be played in Sydney Cricket Ground (January 7-11) and Brisbane's Gabba (January 15-19), respectively.
India skipper Virat Kohli will miss the last three Tests tour due to the birth of his first child.
Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting a child in January, and the captain has been granted permission by the BCCI to return home after the Test series opener.
