Ishant Sharma is doubtful for India's Test tour to New Zealand since suffering an ankle tear while playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy on Monday (January 20) when he fell down in appealing for Vidarbha batsman Faiz Fazal's wicket. 

The veteran pacer has only a month to recover for the two-match series that begins in Wellington on February 21. 

"The MRI report has come. Luckily there is no fracture. There is an ankle tear. The moment he is in a position to walk, he will travel to NCA," a senior DDCA official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

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This, after reports claimed that the experienced fast bowler might have suffered a grade 3 tear. But the BCCI will be confirming nothing on the matter till proper communication with the NCA.

"It's a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in BCCI as we will again do his MRI to ascertain degree of tear and decide on his rehabilitation," a BCCI source said.

If unfortunately Ishant is unavailable for selection, selectors and the Indian team management may look at someone like a Navdeep Saini as his replacement. 

(Inputs from PTI)