NCA physio under scanner after Ishant Sharma misses Christchurch Test

Ishant Sharma’s ankle injury has resurfaced and that didn’t allow him to take part in India’s second Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. It has led to questioning of National Cricket Academy (NCA) coach Ashish Kaushik’s credentials. Ishant, initially, developed the injury during Delhi’s 2019-20 Ranji Trophy match prior to the tour of New Zealand.

Then it was learned that the speedster had a Grade 3 tear, which would require around six weeks to heal. It meant that Sharma was invariably ruled out of the overseas tour. But later, the veteran fast bowler was given a green signal and he went on to play the opening Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. In the first innings, Ishant returned with an impressive five-wicket haul.

BCCI unhappy with Ishant’s development

After Ishant missed the second Test, the BCCI has been left fuming. “Once Ishant was ruled out for six weeks by the Delhi team physio after his scan reports revealed Grade 3, how did Kaushik and the NCA team come to the conclusion that three weeks is good enough for a return to competitive cricket?,” a BCCI insider was quoted as saying in India Today.

Earlier, Ishant informed that he had sent down 21 overs at the NCA in two days after which he was given a clearance. The seamer joined the national team 72 hours before the opening Test. He now may be required to undergo rehabilitation at the much-maligned NCA. It means that he could end up missing the first part of the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

After Ishant got fit, he posted a picture on Twitter, alongside Kaushik where he praised the NCA’s role in his rehabilitation. A number of members in the BCCI took it as a positive publicity after quite a few Indian cricketers went for personal rehabs with their IPL franchises, side-lining the NCA.

Even Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president, said that NCA will be there for all centrally contracted players. As far as Ishant is concerned, he plays for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and gets to pair up with the likes of Kagiso Rabada. DC would be dearly hoping for Ishant to attain the desired fitness.