India pacer Ishant Sharma is in line for a lengthy layoff after injuring his left ankle in the Test series against England. The 22-year-old will undergo surgery early next year after the completion of the crucial Australia tour later this year.
The fast bowler was ruled out of the upcoming one-off T20I and five ODIs against England after picking up the injury during the third Test at Edgbaston, with Ishant admitting that going under the knife was unavoidable.
"The tour of Australia is a very important tour and nobody wants to miss it," Ishant told the Hindustan Times.
"So I'll get the surgery done only after the Australian tour. I am going to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. At the moment, I've been told to do strengthening exercises.
"I have a ligament tear in my left foot, and there is also a bone impingement in my left ankle. Surgery is the only way out. But if I undergo that now, my foot will be in plaster for about three months and the rehabilitation in all could take about six to eight months."
The Indians will travel to Australia in December for four Tests, two T20Is and a tri-series against Michael Clarke's men and Sri Lanka.
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