India’s strike bowler Ishant Sharma has said he will endure surgery on his injured ankle after the conclusion of his side’s tour of Australia tour in January.

Sharma was ruled-out of the one-day series against England after he persistent a ligament injury to his left ankle during the third Test which enforced him to stay out of fourth and final Test.

India is scheduled to play a four-Test series that starts from December 26. It will be followed by two T20 internationals and a triangular series that includes Sri Lanka as the third team.

Australia tour is very important: Sharma

“It is a very important tour and nobody wants to miss it, so I’ll get the surgery done only after the Australian tour,” Sharma said while talking to a leading Indian newspaper on Monday.

I am going to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, where I’ll stay for a week or 10 days to undergo rehab and seek a proper schedule. At the moment, I’ve been told to do strengthening exercises,” 23-year-old added.

Rehabilitation could take 6-8 months: Sharma

Sharma further said that his surgery is obligatory and the process of rehabilitation could take approximately six to eight months.

“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 6-8 months,” said Sharma