Ishant Sharma was recently in the news after he suffered an ankle injury while playing for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy game. While playing against Vidarbha, the 31-year-old had twisted his ankle on his follow while appealing for a wicket.

On Tuesday (21 January), a Delhi state cricket association official said that the senior Indian quick will be ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand in New Zealand scheduled to begin from 21 February in Wellington.

While talking to PTI about Ishant, DDCA general secretary Vinod Tihara said, “Ishant Sharma's MRI report shows a Grade 3 ankle tear and it is serious. He has been advised six weeks of rest and rehabilitation. It is indeed a big blow.”

“Luckily there is no fracture. There is an ankle tear. The moment he is in a position to walk, he will travel to NCA,” another DDCA official added.

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While the BCCI is yet to issue a statement on the Delhi based pacer’s injury, a BCCI source revealed that the board will be making the final decision after the Standard Operating Procedure.

“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,” the source said.

Another fellow Delhi pacer Navdeep Saini might be replacing Ishant who has been an integral part of India’s fantastic bowling attack which includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav.

(With PTI inputs)