Published 20:54 IST, November 18th 2020

Pace spearhead Ishant Sharma looking to regain full fitness ahead of Australia Test series

India's Test pace spearhead Ishant Sharma is looking to regain full fitness ahead of the upcoming four-match Test series against Australia.

Reported by: Karthik Nair
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Team India's Test specialist Ishant Sharma is leaving stone unturned to ensure that he is fit in time for upcoming four-match Test series against Australia that gets underway on December 17. Having worked under watchful eyes of Paras Mhambrey ever since hitting National Cricket Academy (NCA), fast bowler underwent a fitness test on Wednesday.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on vember 9 said that Ishant, who is out with a left internal oblique muscle tear, is undergoing his rehab and he will be added to India's Test squad once he "fully recovers and gains sufficient match fitness".

'A big role to play'

On Monday, ANI reported that NCA head Rahul Dravid has taken charge to ensure that Ishant works closely with Mhambrey -- head coach of U-19 national team and also a pace bowler during his playing days.

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"As NCA head, Dravid has informed board that Ishant is working with Mhambrey to be fit in time for Test matches. Ishant will definitely have a big role to play and his presence will t just give India ar strike bowler, but also his experience will bring a lot to table in Kohli's absence," a source in kw of developments had said.

tall pacer had suffered an oblique muscle tear as a result of which he was ruled out from Dream11 IPL 2020. He had represented Delhi this season but could only man to make a solitary appearance against 2016 champions Hyderabad.

Indian team will have to rely on experience if y are to repeat heroics of 2018/19 season. Skipper Virat Kohli would be heading back to India after first Test to be with his wife Anushka Sharma as y are expecting ir first child in January. refore, senior players including likes of Ishant will be expected to come out all guns blazing.

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India look to rewrite history as Australia seek vengeance

As India and Australia lock horns in pure whites come December, it will t just be about Australia's vengeance or India's desire to write history, and r will it be about winning Border Gavaskar Trophy. Because this time, re's something much bigger on line - World Test Championship. India currently sit atop World Test Championship with 360 points whereas Australia are just below Men in Blue with 296 points. teams also face challenge of COVID-19 and taxing bio-bubble which is expected to take a toll on players.

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India had beaten Australia when y had toured Down Under during 2018-19 season by a  2-1 margin in four-match series to win ir maiden Test series on Australian soil. It remains to be seen wher Virat Kohli-led side will succeed in retaining iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy by getting better of a full-strength Australian side that features likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, etc. 

However, Team India will have to rewrite history as Australia have never lost a pink-ball Test match. In fact, y have won all five of D/N Tests that y have played so far from vember 2015 and all those wins have come in ir own backyard.

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20:54 IST, November 18th 2020