Ishant Sharma Open To Making White-Ball Comeback For India

India’s fast-bowling spearhead Ishant Sharma is on the cusp of a significant milestone as India and England gear themselves for a historical pink-ball Test, starting Wednesday in Ahmedabad. Ishant Sharma, who is on 99 Tests, will become only the second Indian fast bowler after Kapil Dev to feature in 100 Tests. But the 32-year old is still determined to play more white-ball cricket for India.

Ishant Sharma has not played limited-overs cricket for India since 2016, mainly due to some inconsistent displays in the format. The men in blue have also found candidates like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar, while the emergence of Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan has also come as a blessing. Thus, it has enabled Ishant to stay fit for Test cricket and bowl longer spells required for the team.

While Ishant Sharma sees his absence from white-ball cricket as a blessing in disguise, he would love to don the coloured clothing again. However, not playing limited-overs internationals does not affect him much and is grateful to get an opportunity to feature in Test cricket.

“I see this is as a blessing in disguise. Obviously, I’d love to play white-ball cricket. It’s not like I don’t want to because as a sportsman the only thing I can do is play. But I don’t think about these things much that ‘I am not playing One Day cricket’ because it shouldn’t affect my Test cricket. At least I am playing one format so I should be grateful for that,” Ishant said during a press conference.

I think more about doing better and helping my team win in the format I am playing: Ishant Sharma

The Delhi-born fast bowler revealed that he constantly thinks about what he could do to help the team win in the format he plays. Ishant disclosed that thinking optimistically assists him in performing better.

“I think more about doing better and helping my team win in the format I am playing. So whenever there’s any tough situation I try to think optimistically because then it’s easier for you to perform in that format gratefully,” he added.

Also Read: It Is ‘Unfortunate’ That Ravichandran Ashwin Is Not Part Of India’s Limited-Overs Setup, Feels Gautam Gambhir