Under-cover Ishant gets ready to strike

With the Aussies expected to arrive in less than a month for their Test tour, the buzz around the Indian side is still, interestingly, devoid of any talk about Ishant Sharma. The likely reason may be to avoid any pre-tour hype, but it is also indicative of the strength of the Indian pace attack at the moment that there is no talk of the lanky Delhi youngster being rushed back into the side.

Even Ishant plays down the tour. 8220;It8217;s pointless to talk about the Aussies. There8217;s still a month left and there are tournaments like the Mohammad Nissar and the Irani Trophy where I can play a few matches. I don8217;t want to push myself too hard,8221; he says.

Those who8217;re supposed to take care of Sharma evidently forgot to wrap the 68217;58221; bowler in the proverbial cotton-wool, allowing him to injure his right big toe, the right index finger, a muscle contusion in his right buttock and so on.

No wonder then, that he praises Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton for taking care of him the last couple of months. 8220;He Gary has been a great support. He keeps motivating you, whether it8217;s an injury or a defeat,8221; he says.

Ever since the ODI series in Australia, the youngster has been undergoing rehabilitation and trying hard to maintain required fitness levels.