Cricket

Ishant is fit for 3rd ODI

Ishant Sharma, who missed the first two ODIs against England due to an ankle injury, has been assessed match-fit but the team management is yet to take a call on whether he will play the third game on Thursday in Kanpur.

Immediately after the Nagpur Test against Australia, Ishant flew to Mumbai to have his ankle checked by Dr Anant Joshi, BCCI’s medical consultant. The MRI scan did not reveal anything and Joshi suggested the bowler be given a little rest. “It was just minor sprain which happens due to the workload,” Joshi said. “I sent the report to the physio recommending rest.”

Ishant was rested for India’s victories in Rajkot and Indore after the team management decided to give him a five-day break. If Ishant returns, Munaf Patel or RP Singh will have to sit out in Kanpur. RP especially looked scratchy in the two games played with just one wicket. The team is looking to rotate the fast bowlers during the seven-match ODI series as a precautionary measure keeping in mind the subsequent two-Test series.

“We would like to play both of them, Zaheer and Ishant till we are in complete control of the series,” sources said.

Tags: 3rd odi, bcci, Dr Anant Joshi, england, India, India vs England, ishant sharma, ODI series