Ishant Sharma back in the ODI set-up; bowls at the Indian batsmen in the nets

Cricket is always a great leveller. While India lost young pacer Shardul Thakur for seven weeks because of a tendon injury, they had spearhead Ishant Sharma inching back into the ODI set-up as the lanky fast bowler bowled at the Indian batsmen at the nets on the eve of the second ODI against the Windies in Vishakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Ishant, who had a decent tour of England recently where he was the most successful of the Indian bowlers in the Test series with 18 scalps, has been out of action after suffering an ankle injury during the series. The 30-year-old is now undergoing recovery and missed the recently concluded Asia Cup and two-Test series against the Windies.

His bowling at the nets for 30 minutes on Tuesday gave indications that he is on the way back to the team, Sport360 reported. This also comes as a good news for the team ahead of the Australia tour as Team India is scheduled to play four tests down under. Though it remains to be seen if the lanky fast bowler will be picked in the ODI team.

Ishant last played an ODI in January 2016

Ishant Sharma had last played for India in an ODI game in January 2016 against Australia in Sydney in which he took 2 wickets for 60 runs. The pacer, who has played 80 ODI matches and took 115 wickets, will be one of India’s foremost weapons in the upcoming away series against Australia.

His return will make the Indian bowling unit look stronger as other frontline bowlers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have also made their comebacks after a brief stint with injuries. A fully fit Ishant will also add to India’s options during the World Cup scheduled in England next year.

India will play Australia in a full-fledged series featuring three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs starting in November. Ishant’s return to fitness comes at a time when Thakur – who picked a right adductor tendon injury on his Test debut against the Windies in the Hyderabad Test – has been asked to undergo rehab for at least seven weeks. Thakur bowled just 1.4 overs on his Test debut before being forced off the field.

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